Game On, Mouthguard In: Keeping Young Smiles Safe During Summer Sports

Children are always very excited when summer rolls out and they start planning to play outdoor activities that come with flowing summer. Any of summer sports are a good way for a kid to keep fit, develop teamwork skills, and enjoy themselves. However, such excitement carries with it the risk of dental injuries. The very first thing is to make sure their teeth are protected-and one of the easiest ways to do this is with a properly fitting mouthguard.

When under threat, mouthguards preserve young smiles from chip, knock-out, and jaw injuries. In fact, dentists claim a mouthguard reduces hugely the likelihood of injury to the oral cavity during contact sports. Yet, they all are not equally effective. What parents want to verify for is custom-fitted or boil-and-bite mouthguards, which closely follow the contour of the child’s teeth and gums: this type will provide better comfort and stability over the generic shop-bought variety.

Generally, first comes choosing the appropriate mouthguard. Equally important is regular use. A child must always wear a mouthguard when playing any sport, including practice sessions. Kids will be more likely to use their protective gear if they understand why they have to do it. So, make sure you talk with them and explain how it protects their smile. Also, allow them some age-appropriate influence in selecting the colour or design, so they feel interested and subsequently more likely to engage with wearing their mouthguard all the time.

Another tip is to pay good consideration on mouthguard care and cleaning. Rinse it on cool water after every application, storing it in a ventilated case, and clean it regularly with just a toothbrush and mild soap. This helps in maintaining the mouthguard hygienic and extends its life. The mouthguard should be replaced whenever signs of wear, tears, or a significant increase in the size of the kid’s mouth are observed since the first fitting.

Apart from wearing a mouthguard, having dental checkups during the summer also helps to prevent minor dental problems from becoming serious. A dentist will evaluate the fit of the mouthguard and also check whether it offers maximum protection or not. Some dental offices may even provide custom mouthguard fittings, guaranteed to fit snugly and comfortably through the toughest summer games.

As weather gets warmer and summer sports heats up, don’t keep your kid cushioned in a side-line from any dental injury. Quickly go for a quality mouthguard for your kid and foster consistent application to keep that smile safe and bright. Protection for your child’s teeth is yet another way to make sure that this summer remains fun and fear-free. Mouthguard-on, game-on because every young athlete deserves to play safe with smile big!