Safety gear is a must for kids who play sports. Along with helmets and pads, mouth guards are crucial to protect your child’s teeth. Additionally, mouth guards are beneficial for a wide range of sporting activities, including soccer, softball, hockey, football, and more.

Mouth Guards Offer 3 Important Benefits

1. Prevents Chipped and Broken Teeth

Don’t underestimate the level of contact within kids’ sports. Collisions are common in basketball and football, and even lower contact sports like baseball involves a risk of being struck by a projectile. A mouth guard protects the teeth from these occurrences, thereby preventing chips and breaks. 

2. Prevents Facial Lacerations

Kids who play sports with braces also face a risk of cuts and scrapes inside their mouth. A guard can be used to cover a dental apparatus, so it doesn’t push up against the mouth during physical activities. It also protects your child’s braces from being damaged, which otherwise could result in an emergency trip to the dentist.

3. Prevents Lost Teeth

With enough force, your child may actually lose a tooth when playing sports. Even a lost primary tooth can cause issues, as it can affect the positioning of your child’s adult teeth when they come in. With a mouth guard, there is a much lower chance of your young athlete losing a tooth.

For three decades, William U. Britton DDS, MAGD has helped patients in Chillicothe, OH maintain optimum dental hygiene. This includes a fair share of athletes with concerns about preserving their teeth. All guards are custom-designed and made from quality plastics that offer protection without getting in the way of speaking or breathing. Mouth guards not only offer protection for sporting activities, but they also mitigate the effects of teeth grinding, which can result in jaw pain and stiffness. Schedule an appointment for you or your child by calling (740) 772-2225 today. You can also visit the website to access patient resources for your first visit.