Why Sports Playing Children Should Have Mouth Guards On

Mouth guards refer to dental devices that function to protect teeth from a host of potential injuries. These devices are traditionally moulded from plastic, but they can also be manufactured from an array of ductile materials. Some people, generally speaking, tend to associate mouth guards with teeth grinding, medically referred to as bruxism. But mouth guards are not only beneficial to individuals that grind their teeth while they sleep. They are also highly functional for athletes, particularly young children who routinely engage in sporting activities. While helmets do protect from some head injuries, it is vital to make sure your kid's teeth are protected too. Below are a couple of compelling reasons why sports-playing children should always have mouth guards on.

Mouth guards prevent a host of oral injuries

If kids love the sports that they engage in, chances are they will be extremely enthusiastic about playing them. Thus, it is unlikely that they will pay any mind to their teeth when they are having fun. However, there is a threat that is being posed to their oral health. For instance, a high impact can cause premature tooth loss of one or several teeth at a go. And if these are permanent teeth, then you may have to deliberate on expensive restoration treatments such as dental implants for your child's other teeth to get the support they need to grow normally.

On the other hand, the impact can be strong enough to make your child bite their tongue, which can translate into surgery depending on the severity of the injury. To keep the dangers mentioned above and others at bay, it is best to have your kid fitted for mouth guards as soon as possible from your family dentist.

Mouth guards can protect your child from concussions

While you may think that a mouth guard will not suffice as tooth protection, these devices can help in keeping your child safe from concussions when engaging in their favourite sporting activity. When your child has mouth guards on, they are better able to stabilise their jaw as well as their neck when hit with high impact. Thus, even as they fall, they will be at lesser risk of acquiring a concussion as compared to a child without any protection on. You should bear in mind that a concussion could be a severe health problem for your child and they will develop symptoms such as vomiting, excruciating headaches and so on.


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