A dentist for kids often provides children with mouthguards that protect their teeth from damage caused by trauma. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) states that up to 40% of dental injuries suffered by children are sports-related, and up to 30 million children participate in organized sports. A mouthguard does not entirely eliminate the possibility of dental injuries, but it significantly reduces the severity and frequency of such injuries as a form of sports injury prevention.
One of the most serious sports-related injuries children can suffer is tooth avulsion. This is when a tooth is completely knocked out of its socket due to hard contact. A dentist for kids can reattach an intact knocked-out tooth, but only if the child gets to a clinic within a few hours of the injury developing.
Sports that involve physical contact are more likely to cause such injuries. It is no surprise that many youth leagues now require participants to wear mouthguards. Even sports that are not viewed as contact sports, like tennis, can still lead to dental injuries. The most likely set of teeth to be damaged during sports are the two upper front teeth, formally called the maxillary teeth. Children with excessive overjet, meaning their upper front teeth stick out, are more likely to damage them during sports.
The AAPD recommends mouthguards constructed to protect the intraoral tissues and lips from laceration and bruising, to protect teeth from avulsions, fractures, and root fractures, to provide support for edentulous space, and to protect the jawbone from dislocation and fractures.
Mouthguards should also be customized for the user since that provides maximum protection. Generally speaking, the better a mouthguard fits, the more protection it provides.
Once-size-fits-all mouthguards provide some level of protection, but they rarely fit well. A child is less likely to wear their mouthguard if it feels uncomfortable or bulky in their mouth. A poor-fitting mouthguard can also restrict a child's breathing during sports.
A dentist for kids makes custom mouth guards from impressions of their patients' mouths. The child is asked to bite down on a mold, leaving an impression of their teeth. In some cases, digital photos are used to make a 3D model of the child's tooth. The impression or 3D model is sent to a lab where mouthguards are made. It takes about two weeks for the customized mouthguard to get back to the dentist.
The child comes in for a second appointment, and the dentist educates them on how to insert, remove, and clean their appliance. A custom mouthguard fits snuggly in the child's mouth and does not restrict their breathing in any way. As a result, children are more likely to keep it in during sports.
Worried about your child injuring their teeth during sports? Our pediatric dentist can provide a custom mouthguard that protects their teeth against trauma. Call or stop by our Richmond clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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