{"id":173,"date":"2022-05-18T17:28:22","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T17:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kids-dentistry.com\/blog\/?p=173"},"modified":"2022-05-18T17:28:23","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T17:28:23","slug":"why-your-child-should-wear-a-mouth-guard-during-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kids-dentistry.com\/blog\/2022\/05\/18\/why-your-child-should-wear-a-mouth-guard-during-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"The #1 Reason Why Your Child Should Wear a Mouthguard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether your child loves shooting hoops on the basketball court or scoring goals on the soccer field, it\u2019s important that they wear the right equipment. After all, something as simple as a knee pad can make all the difference when a rogue ball or accidental elbow comes their way fast. For that same reason, your child should always wear a mouthguard while playing sports, whether it\u2019s a contact or non-contact one. Read on to learn all about how custom-made mouthguards protect their teeth and a few additional sports-related oral health<\/a> best practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

So, Does Your Child Really<\/em> Need to Wear a Mouthguard?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In short, the answer is yes. And there is a very good reason for that: to help prevent dental emergencies. While participating in sports, even a non-contact one, all it takes is one rogue ball that your child isn\u2019t ready for to knock out their teeth. Not only can this be a stressful and sometimes painful experience, but it can prevent your little one from wanting to play in the future. Therefore, it\u2019s better to be safe and make sure they wear their mouthguard each and every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Custom Mouthguards Are Better Than Store-Bought Alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your child doesn\u2019t have a mouthguard yet, you may be wondering if you should get one from their dentist or buy one at your nearest sporting goods store. The answer? The former. Custom-made mouthguards are superior for several reasons. To start, they aren\u2019t a choking hazard since they are tailored to the shape of your child\u2019s teeth and gums. Furthermore, they are created specifically to spread out the impact of any force, helping to prevent common dental emergencies, like knocked-out teeth. So, while it may cost a bit more, it\u2019s certainly worth the investment, especially when it comes to something as important as your child\u2019s smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Additional Sports-Related Oral Hygiene Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wearing a mouthguard is an important habit. But, it\u2019s not the only sports-related one they should commit to. To help keep their oral health in pristine condition, encourage them to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n