Medically Reviewed by Esteem Dental And Orthodontic Team on March 24, 2024
Protecting your child’s smile during sports mostly comes down to two things: a properly fitted mouthguard worn at every practice and game, and a bit of awareness about the sports where dental injuries happen most. As a parent, watching your child succeed in a sport they love comes with a real risk of dental injury alongside all the excitement.
Esteem Dental specializes in pediatric dental care, and protecting a young athlete’s smile is one of the most preventable parts of that care.
How Common Are Dental Injuries in Youth Sports
Dental injuries are more common in youth sports than most parents expect. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, data from a 10-year study found that almost one-third of childhood injuries came from sports activities, underlining how closely sports participation is tied to the risk of oral and facial injury.
A separate analysis of dental injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms found that 81 percent involved children age 17 and under, with the majority occurring in children younger than seven. Those numbers hold whether your child is just starting soccer lessons or already competing in high school football, and they are exactly why the American Dental Association lists properly fitted mouthguards as one of the most effective, low-cost ways to prevent sports-related dental injuries.
Choosing the Right Mouthguard
A mouthguard only protects your child if it actually fits well. It should cover all the teeth, sit securely without shifting during play, and not restrict speech or breathing enough that your child avoids wearing it. Durability matters too, since a mouthguard that wears out quickly stops providing real protection well before it looks obviously damaged.
The sport itself should shape the choice. Higher-impact sports like football or hockey call for a more robust mouthguard than lower-impact activities like gymnastics or track. Esteem Dental offers professional, custom-made mouthguards fitted to your child’s mouth, which tend to be worn far more consistently than a bulky, ill-fitting store-bought option, and the best mouthguard is always the one that actually gets used.
Preventing Dental Injuries in Contact Sports
Protecting your child’s smile in contact sports goes beyond picking the right mouthguard.
- Proper technique: Learning to fall safely can meaningfully reduce dental injury risk in sports like soccer, football, and basketball.
- Gear checks: Regularly inspect protective gear for wear and tear, and replace anything damaged before it fails during play.
- Consistent wear: Mouthguards protect only when worn at both practices and games, not games alone.
- Staying alert: Many injuries happen during momentary lapses in attention, so encouraging focus during play helps avoid avoidable collisions.
Regular dental care rounds out the picture. Brushing and flossing twice daily and using a kid-appropriate mouth rinse keep a young athlete’s teeth strong heading into a season, which matters since healthy teeth and gums also tend to hold up better if an impact does occur.
Book an Appointment at Esteem Dental Today
We’re proud to serve Lake Nona and all of South Orlando with dentistry and orthodontics built around the needs of young athletes. From regular checkups to custom-fit mouthguards, our team provides the dental care that keeps kids playing with confidence.
Contact us online to schedule a checkup or a custom mouthguard fitting before the season starts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports and Kids’ Dental Safety
At what age should my child start wearing a mouthguard for sports?
As soon as they begin participating in an organized sport with any contact risk, even a lower-impact one. Since many dental injuries occur in children younger than seven, it is worth fitting a mouthguard early rather than waiting for a more intense sport later.
Is a custom mouthguard really better than a store-bought one?
Generally yes, mainly because a custom mouthguard fits precisely and gets worn consistently, while a bulky boil-and-bite option often gets left in a bag because it is uncomfortable. A mouthguard only protects a child when it is actually in their mouth during play.
Does my child need a mouthguard for non-contact sports?
Many dental injuries happen in sports that are not classified as contact sports, since falls and collisions with equipment can occur in almost any activity. A mouthguard is a reasonable precaution any time there is a real chance of a fall or impact to the face.
How often should a child’s mouthguard be replaced?
Check it regularly for tears, thinning, or a loosening fit, and replace it as soon as any of those appear rather than waiting for a full season to pass. Growing children may also outgrow a custom mouthguard and need a new impression periodically.
What should I do if my child has a dental injury during a game?
Contact our office right away, especially if a tooth is chipped, loosened, or knocked out entirely, since prompt evaluation improves the chances of saving the tooth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, keep it moist and get to a dentist as quickly as possible.
Dr. Jordan Jones, DDS
Dr. Jordan Jones leads the experienced team at Esteem Dental, providing comprehensive family dental care to the Winter Garden and Lake Nona communities. With a focus on general dentistry, pediatric care, and orthodontics, Dr. Jones combines advanced techniques with a compassionate approach to ensure every patient receives personalized, quality treatment in a comfortable environment.
✓ Medically Reviewed
