Custom Fitted Mouthguards for Fall Sports
As the school year gets underway and fall sports take center stage, kids are spending more time on the field, court, and playing surface. While sports are a great way to stay active and have fun, they can also put your child’s teeth at risk of injury. The good news is that a properly fitted mouthguard can help protect their smile and prevent many sports-related dental injuries. In this guide, we’ll explore why mouth guards matter, which type offers the best protection, and how to choose the right one for your child.
At Dental Dimensions, your Lake Highlands neighborhood dentist, we’re here to help parents protect their child’s smile with practical tips and emergency preparedness.
Dental Injuries in Youth Sports
Sports-related dental injuries can happen in an instant, and they’re more common than many parents realize. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children and teens are especially vulnerable, with those age 17 and younger accounting for 80.6% of all sport- and non-sport-related dental injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms between 1990 and 2003.
While younger children experience the highest number of injuries, athletes of all ages can benefit from taking simple precautions to protect their teeth. A properly fitted mouthguard is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help keep your child’s smile safe on the field, court, or playing surface.
These injuries can happen during contact sports like Texas football and hockey, as well as in lower-contact activities such as gymnastics or skateboarding.
Whether your child plays recreational sports or participates in competitive athletics, they’re at risk for:
Tooth fractures
Knocked Out Teeth (called Avulsions)
Soft tissue injuries to the mouth
Protect Your Child With a Custom Mouthguard
The good news is that most sports-related dental injuries are preventable—and the best line of defense is a custom mouthguard. Unlike one-size-fits-all or boil-and-bite options, a custom mouthguard is designed to fit comfortably and securely over your teeth. It provides better protection against chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth while making it easier to breathe, speak, and stay focused during the game.
Why Choose a Custom Mouthguard?
Custom mouth guards are a step above store-bought options and offer the following benefits:
Designed to fit your child’s mouth perfectly
Comfortable and won’t inhibit speech or breathing
More durable and effective at absorbing impact
At Dental Dimensions, we recommend mouth guards for any sport where there’s a risk of impact to the face or head—even if it’s not traditionally considered a contact sport.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Even with the best prevention, accidents can happen. Knowing how to respond quickly and calmly can make all the difference in saving your child’s tooth and preventing long-term damage.
5 Quick Tips for Sports-Related Dental Injuries:
Stay Calm
Reassure your child and assess the injury. Encourage them to alert their coach or supervisor if the incident occurred during a team activity.
Locate and Preserve the Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out:
Gently rinse it with milk (do not scrub or dry it).
Place it in a container with cold milk or the child’s saliva.
If a baby tooth is lost, locate it to prevent choking and bring it to the dentist for evaluation.
Clean The Area
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the gums, lips, or injured area. Apply gentle pressure with gauze or whatever you have on hand to stop any bleeding.
Apply a Cold Compress
Reduce swelling and relieve pain by placing a cold pack wrapped in a towel on the affected area.
Call Your Dentist
Save your dentist’s number in your phone for emergencies. Prompt treatment improves the chances of saving the tooth and preventing complications.
Protect Their Smile with Help from Dental Dimensions
At Dental Dimensions in Dallas, TX, we prioritize prevention and early intervention. Our custom mouthguards are professionally crafted to protect your child’s smile during both sports and sleep. If your child plays sports, now is the perfect time to schedule a consultation to see if a mouthguard is right for them.
Don’t wait until an emergency strikes—be prepared and proactive. Call Dental Dimension today to schedule your child’s custom mouthguard fitting.
