Sports are a great way for children to stay active, build confidence, and develop teamwork skills. However, activities like basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, and lacrosse can also put their teeth at risk of injury. A collision with another player, an accidental fall, or a ball striking the mouth can result in chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. At Bubble Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics in Newton Center, MA, we help children and teens protect their smiles with preventive dental care, including custom sports mouthguards designed around their individual needs.
Why Sports Mouthguards Are Important for Children
One of the best ways to protect your child’s teeth during athletic activities is by wearing a properly fitted mouthguard. Mouthguards help cushion impacts and reduce the risk of injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. Although they are commonly associated with contact sports like football and hockey, children participating in basketball, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and other activities can benefit from appropriate dental protection, too. At Bubble Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics, we encourage parents to consider mouthguard protection before the sports season begins. A mouthguard should be worn during practices and games, since dental injuries can happen during drills, scrimmages, and informal play just as easily as during competition.
Why Choose Bubble for a Custom Sports Mouthguard?
Not all mouthguards fit the same way. Store-bought options may feel bulky, slip out of place, or make it difficult for a child to speak comfortably. Bubble offers custom sports mouthguards for children and teens in Newton Center, designed to fit the shape of their teeth and account for their dental development and orthodontic needs. A properly fitted mouthguard can be easier to keep in place throughout practices and games, helping children stay focused on their sport. Bubble’s pediatric dental and orthodontic services are available in one convenient location, allowing families to discuss sports protection alongside their child’s ongoing dental or orthodontic care.
Protecting Smiles During Braces and Orthodontic Treatment
Children wearing braces need to take extra care to protect their teeth and orthodontic appliances during sports. An impact to the mouth can injure the soft tissues around brackets and wires or damage the appliances themselves. Bubble Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics provides both pediatric dental care and orthodontic treatment, making it easier for families to discuss appropriate mouthguard options while their child is undergoing treatment. A guard worn before braces may no longer fit correctly, so it is important to have it evaluated when orthodontic appliances are placed or adjusted.
What to Do If Your Child Injures a Tooth
Even with the right protective equipment, accidents can happen. If your child chips, loosens, or breaks a tooth during sports, contact a dentist promptly. A knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate dental attention. Handle it by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist in milk or a tooth-preservation solution if possible, and seek emergency dental care right away. Do not attempt to reinsert a baby tooth.
Schedule a Sports Mouthguard Appointment at Bubble
Bubble Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics is dedicated to helping children and teens throughout Newton, Boston, Brookline, Wellesley, Needham, and surrounding Greater Boston communities maintain healthy smiles. If your child plays sports, our team can help you explore custom sports mouthguards and determine which protective option best fits their needs. Contact Bubble Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics at 617-655-9410 to learn more about our pediatric dental services and help your child prepare for their next practice, game, or season.