Understanding The Importance Of Mouthguards For Children

Mouthguards in Milford, CT, for children are as crucial as helmets and knee pads. They play a significant role in protecting the mouths of children on different fronts. For children who take part in athletic activities, the stakes are even higher. The immediate trauma and the downtime of healing and recovery are a hefty price to pay, while there are other inexpensive approaches to overcome dental injuries.

What Are Mouthguards?

They are oral devices used to protect oral cavities. They feature a plastic-like material that cushions teeth by acting as shock absorbers for dental trauma and accidents.

Technically, mouthguards near you are designed for a snug fit over teeth as a proactive measure to mitigate the possibility of dental trauma or injury. Many mouthguards target the top front teeth, which are likely to suffer during oral accidents.

Which Is the Best Type of Mouthguard?

A pediatric dentist in Milford, CT, will tell you that a properly fitted and comfortable mouth protector that is worn religiously is the best type of mouthguard. Still, there are several types to choose from, including:

• Stock mouthguards – they are also known as pre-made mouthguards. These mouthguards are readily available in over-the-counter outlets. They require you to clench your teeth for a good fit. However, they are very uncomfortable and can make it difficult for you to breathe or speak. However, the fact that they are readily available and rather inexpensive makes them better for use, instead of not protecting your child’s mouth at all.
• Boil and bite mouthguard – it is one of the most common types of mouth protectors. These are made from a thermoplastic material that, when immersed in hot water, expands accordingly. You can, therefore, place it on your teeth and use your finger or tongue to fit it properly. They are a much better alternative to stock mouthguards, more so regarding a comfortable fit and ample protection of your teeth and jaw.
• Custom mouthguard – it is tailored by a pediatric dentist near you, with accuracy based on the impressions of your child’s mouth. Generally, custom mouthguards fit better than all other types of mouthguards. From how it is made to the high-quality material used, a custom mouthguard is suitable for offering superb comfort and maximum protection for the jaw and teeth. As such many dentists recommend getting custom mouthguards as they are effective for the primary role of protecting the oral cavity from dental trauma. Besides, you can have the dentist design a mouth protector to go over both the upper and lower jaw, which is not typical of most mouthguards. While at it, the Pediatric dentist can come up with a mouth protector for night usages, mainly referred to as a night guard. Such a mouth protector is effective for treating bruxism, which is also a common dental issue among children.

Importance of Mouthguards for Kids

When caring for your child’s health, prevention is rated better than the hassle of seeking treatment for certain conditions. The same applies in dentistry when caring for your child’s oral health. Besides, studies by American Dental Association (ADA) show that children actively involved in sporting activities have the largest number of dental injuries. As such, you will find mouthguards for children beneficial in some of the following aspects:

• Preventing premature tooth loss – is especially beneficial for children who already have their adult teeth in place. Since adult teeth don’t grow back, it helps to take the necessary measures to prevent premature tooth loss of permanent teeth.
• Preventing general tooth damage – more do regarding excessive teeth grinding that depreciates the structure of teeth.
• Avoiding or reducing the substantial cost of restorative dental procedures in the future. Kids’ mouthguards help you save up on a lot of costs, usually up to about $20,000 over several years to treat damages incurred.
• Mitigating the impact of orofacial injuries that can cause significant deformities. A properly fitted mouthguard protects your child’s jaw, gums, and teeth by acting as shock absorbers, hence combating the impact of injuries on their oral cavity.
• Preventing or reducing pain from immediate trauma – the pain that results from immediate dental trauma necessitates emergency dentistry. With mouthguards, you can save your child a trip to an emergency room near you, as well as spare them the excruciating pain often associated with dental trauma.