Playing sports is an excellent way for your child to get physical exercise and socialization, but precautions should be taken to ensure they remain safe. Your family dentist can provide a custom mouthguard that can protect your child’s oral and cognitive health. If you have an athlete that participates in sports like baseball, softball, soccer, or martial arts, consider talking to your family dentist about the benefits of a mouthguard.

What Protection Does a Mouthguard Provide?

Contact and ball sports can put your child’s oral health at risk. Collisions with other players or getting hit in the face with a ball can cause several different dental issues, including chipped teeth, knocked out teeth, gum damage, or jaw problems. These injuries require treatment from a family dentist and could impact your child’s permanent smile.

How Does a Mouthguard Help?

A mouthguard protects the teeth and soft tissues of the mouth. If your child collides with another player or gets hit with a foreign object, the mouthguard can cushion the trauma. Studies show this protective gear can absorb shock and stabilize the head and neck during a hit to the jaw, lowering the risk of concussions.

How Do You Care for a Mouthguard?

While a mouthguard should be replaced every sporting season, there are ways you can care for it to ensure it provides an optimal amount of protection to your child. To store the mouthguard, utilize a plastic case that is kept at room temperature; heat can deform the guard and lower the protection it provides. When cleaning, rinse it off with water and lightly brush it with toothpaste. If the mouthguard takes an impact, talk to your family dentist about whether or not a replacement piece is needed.

If you are looking for additional ways to keep your child’s smile healthy during sports, talk to the family dentist at Dr. Robert R. Petrtyl, DDS in Cincinnati, Ohio. With more than 30 years of experience, the team at this office provides the preventative, restorative and cosmetic procedures you need to keep your family’s smiles white and bright. To learn more about Dr. Robert R. Petrtyl, DDS, visit them online or call (513) 554-4657.