Does My Child Need a Mouth Guard for Sports?

Mouth guards help protect teeth during high-impact sports activities. If your child needs a mouth guard, the dentist in Onalaska, WI can help. At Valley Dental, we provide mouth guards to help your child take care of their teeth and avoid dental injury. Does your child participate in athletics? Here’s what they need to know about mouth guards.

What Is a Mouth Guard?

A mouth guard is a layer of plastic that fits over your child’s teeth to protect them from impacts. Mouth guards can be customized to the individual or can be purchased from pharmacies in sizes intended to fit a range of children.

Which Sports Require Kids to Have Mouth Guards?

Children who participate in contact and collision sports need mouth guards. Some examples of the types of sports that require mouth guards include:

• Hockey
• Football
• Basketball
• Wrestling
• Water polo
• Boxing

Mouth guards can also be helpful in limited contact sports like skiing and skateboarding. For some of these sports, mouth guards are required. Find out from your child’s coach or sports team whether they are required to have a mouth guard for their participation.

Why Get a Mouth Guard From Your Child’s Dentist?

Although mouth guards are available in non-custom sizes, it’s best to get your child a customized mouth guard if possible. Custom-made mouth guards are designed to fit your child perfectly. Custom mouth guards can be more comfortable, so your child is more likely to use their mouth guard when it’s needed.

Does your child need a mouth guard in Onalaska, WI? If so, contact the dental professionals at Valley Dental. Call today to make an appointment.