Sports Mouthguard for Kids: When Should Children Start Wearing One?

The answer is earlier than most parents think. Like, way earlier.

A lot of people assume mouthguards are a high school football thing. Bigger kids, harder hits, more serious stakes. But dental injuries don't wait until your kid is 16 and playing varsity. A seven-year-old in a recreational soccer league can take a knee to the face just as easily. Baby teeth, adult teeth just starting to come in, soft lips, none of it is tougher just because the game is "just for fun."

Getting your child fitted for kids mouthguards in Redmond, WA, as soon as they start any organized sport or activity helps them get used to wearing one early. That habit, once it's built, tends to stick. The team at Bel-Red Pediatric Dentistry works with local families on exactly this, making sure kids actually want to wear their gear instead of stuffing it in a gym bag the second you're not looking.

What's Actually at Risk When Kids Skip Protection

Kids running full speed and colliding is just... a lot of force. More than people realize until something goes wrong.

An impact that results in teeth clashing against each other implies fractured enamel, root cracks, or even loss of teeth. If your child is at an age where he or she has some of their baby teeth while others are developing, an accident may affect the development of those adult teeth that have not yet fully developed. It is this part that shocks most parents.

A good guard isn't just covering teeth either. It absorbs shock through the whole lower face, cushions the lips and cheeks, and takes some of the force that would otherwise travel up into the jaw joint. Finding reliable mouthguards near you is genuinely one of the more important things on the sports gear checklist, even if it doesn't feel that way until something happens.

It's Not Just Football and Hockey

This is the surprising bit. You can ask any pediatric dentist in Redmond, WA, and they will all say that some of the most serious tooth injuries come from sports where no one would think of injury at all.

● Basketball and Volleyball: Collisions while rebounding the ball or getting slammed under the net cause kids to go into dentists' emergency rooms more often than not.

● Gymnastics and Cheerleading: Falling from the beam or failing a stunt. This means the chin hitting the floor. It isn't uncommon as you might expect.

● Skateboarding and Scooters: Getting your feet caught on the pavement usually means that the front teeth take the brunt of the impact.

● Baseball and Softball: Slipping bats, stray balls, and wild pitches are all things that can happen out of the blue.

If your kids play any of these sports in the Eastside area, having a chat with a children's dentist near you could prove to be very valuable before something goes wrong. Weekend emergency root canal treatment is never pleasant for anyone, and it also costs a whole lot more than prevention.

Why the Stuff at the Sporting Goods Store Usually Isn't Enough

The colored box placed on the rack seems to be okay. The stock guard is cheap, it is available, and, yes, it is much better than nothing at all. However, there are some serious disadvantages of stock guards, especially for children.

The stock guard is bulky. In order to prevent it from coming off, the child needs to clench their jaw while playing. Can you imagine shouting something to your teammate or running while doing this?

Boil and bite is more comfortable, however, it may become very thin exactly in those areas where the protection is really needed. If anything feels uncomfortable or unpleasant, then children find a way to solve this problem. Chewing it, spitting it out, or leaving it at home is one of the ways.

Custom kids mouthguards in Redmond, WA, are made specifically to protect your child's bite. They do not slip and do not require clenching the jaw, therefore breathing and speaking become easier, and the probability that your child will wear it during the game is much bigger.

Why a Specialist Makes a Difference Here

Children's mouths change constantly. Teeth fall out, new ones grow in, bone structure shifts. A store-bought guard has no way to account for any of that.

Dr. Chris Chen, our pediatric dentist in Redmond, WA, will take very accurate impressions of your child’s teeth and construct an athletic mouth guard for their current dental status without hindering their development.

These appointments are made in a way that will make children comfortable and at ease when they come in for their appointment, and will leave with positive feelings towards wearing it.

Keeping the Guard Clean (Because Kids Won't Do This Without a Reminder)

Now that you have found the proper mouthguards near you, it is important to maintain hygiene in order to avoid bad breath and any oral bacterial growth in this piece of plastic.

Children have a reputation for throwing their equipment right into the grimy sports bag. If it shows any cracks, tears, or looseness, consult your children's dentist near you for the replacement. An old guard cannot serve its purpose.