Your child needs to play sports, but your child needs to protect his or her teeth ... You can do both at the same time! Here are some of the best practices for making sure that your child keeps a great smile as well as an active physical lifestyle.
Mouth Guards
There are many different types of mouth guards that your child can wear during athletic play - the ready to wear guard, the boil mouth guard and custom mouth guards.
The ready to wear mouth guard is the most common option because of its low price and convenience. For the most part, it is a one size fits all solution that you can find in your local sports store at short notice.
The boil mouth guard creates a slightly customized option because it can be reshaped before each use.
However, a custom mouth guard is the highest form of protection you can get for a child. These are prescription guards that you will have to visit your orthodontist or dentist in order to get. The custom mold that a medical professional will make adheres to your child's teeth the closest. And, for a limited time, you can get one for free.
Athletic Prowess
Believe it or not, the athletes who are the most prolific do not get the most injuries - the more that your child is in the center of the action, the less likely that child is to sustain a mouth injury! The reason for this is that the best athletes are usually the ones who handle the ball the most, and the best athletes have the most discipline.
To protect your child's teeth, improve his or her athletic ability. Practice coordination and good sportsmanship. These will help the child's natural reflexes to develop. The body is excellent at protecting itself as long as it feels comfortable, and the better your child is at a sport, the less likely your child is to experience a mouth injury.
Make sure that you visit your dentist before committing your child to any long term solution. Not only will you help your child's teeth, but you will also give yourself peace of mind!