On Guard – Protect Your Child’s Teeth During Athletics

Bleachers across Brevard County are filling up and soccer fields are teeming with activity. Sports season is here and we are sure that your little athletes are flocking to the field after a winter hiatus. At Sunshine Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Melbourne, FL we know that you value the safety of your children while participating in athletics. But while you may have invested in the necessary personal protection equipment, have you taken steps to protect your child’s smile?

Many pediatric dentists see dental emergencies due to sports-related injuries. We recommend that your child wear a mouthguard when participating in any athletic activity – whether or not it is classified as a contact sport. Mouthguards serve to cushion the mouth in the event of a blow to the head or jaw. They generally are fitted around the top teeth, though people with braces or other special appliances on the lower jaw may wear a guard on the lower teeth as well. The value of the mouthguard is underscored when you consider the fact that an athletic participant not wearing one is 60 times more likely to have dental damage. With that fact in mind, take preventive measures to protect your child’s teeth.

Mouthguards are available in a variety of formats, including custom, pre-formed, and moldable. The latter two can be purchased at a variety of sporting good stores or drugstores. If you have questions on the type of mouthguard most suitable for your child, then don’t hesitate to contact us as your pediatric dentist in Melbourne.