New School Year, New Mouthguard

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Football season is upon us, and your children are playing on new teams. You’ve bought the uniforms and a larger size of cleats. Don’t forget to replace their mouthguards as well. Their bites are changing as fast as their feet are growing. Mouthguards are a less-glamorous purchase, but necessary, and they do not have to cost as much as a new pair of Nikes.

Which Type of Mouthguard Does My Child Need?

Marea White DDS boy using mouth guard

According to this article from Mouth Healthy, there are three different types of mouthguards.

1. Custom-fitted guards are made by your dentist to fit your your child’s teeth.

2. Stock mouthguards can be found at drug stores and sporting goods stores for pretty cheap. These are generally hard plastic and come ready to wear, but stock mouthguards are bulky, which make breathing and speech rather difficult.

3. Boil-and-Bite mouthguards are an inexpensive option and are readily available; you boil them in water and then bite into them to mold them to your mouth. These mouthguards are a great option for students because they need new ones every school year, as their mouths are growing and changing.

How Do I Care for a Mouthguard?

It’s a good idea to rinse your mouthguard with water before and after each use, and store it in a ventilated hard-plastic container. Also, never leave it out in the sun or place it in hot water

Mouthguards protect you from blows to the face that might knock out teeth, bridgework, or braces. They also act as a barrier between the teeth and the lips, preventing soft-tissue damage.

~Dr. Marea White