It’s a scene plenty of parents know well. Your kid is out on the soccer field or basketball court, going full speed. There’s a scramble for the ball, an elbow flies, and suddenly someone’s holding their mouth. Sometimes it’s just a split lip. Sometimes it’s a lot worse.
Here in Howard County, youth sports are a big deal. From rec leagues to travel teams, kids play hard. And while we love seeing young athletes stay active, we also see the aftermath of preventable dental injuries in our Columbia dental office. That’s why we want to talk about something simple that too many families skip: the sports mouthguard.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to the American Dental Association, athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth. Sixty times.
And it’s not just about knocked-out teeth. Mouthguards protect against:
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Cut lips and cheeks
- Jaw injuries
- Knocked-out teeth
- Damage to braces
Sports like football and hockey get a lot of attention for safety gear. But did you know that basketball and baseball cause a huge number of dental injuries? So do gymnastics, skateboarding, and even mountain biking. Any sport with contact, falls, or flying equipment is a sport where a mouthguard makes sense.
“But My Kid Hates Wearing One”
We hear this all the time at Veritas Dental Institute. And we get it. Those bulky store-bought guards can be uncomfortable. They make it hard to breathe. They slip around. Kids take them out the second the coach isn’t looking. That’s exactly why custom-fitted mouthguards are worth it.
A custom mouthguard is made from a mold of your child’s actual teeth. It fits snugly. It stays in place. It’s thinner and more comfortable than the boil-and-bite kind you find at sporting goods stores. Because it fits properly, your child can breathe and talk while wearing it.
Dr. Sahil Goyal and Dr. Anshu Goyal can create a custom guard right here in our office. It takes one quick visit, and it lasts for seasons.
What About Adults?
Mouthguards aren’t just for kids. If you play recreational basketball, softball, or any contact sport, you need one too. Adults face the same risks as kids, maybe more, since adult teeth don’t grow back.
Dental injuries are expensive. A knocked-out tooth can cost thousands of dollars to replace with an implant. A custom mouthguard costs a fraction of that and lasts for years. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your smile.
How to Care for Your Mouthguard
Once you have a custom guard, a little care goes a long way:
- Rinse it with cool water after every use
- Wash it occasionally with mild soap and a soft brush
- Store it in a ventilated case, not a closed plastic bag
- Keep it out of hot cars or direct sunlight (heat warps it)
- Bring it to your dental visits so we can check the fit
- Replace it if it gets torn, loose, or if your child’s mouth has grown. Growing kids might need a new guard every year or two.
A Quick Word on Concussions
Some research suggests mouthguards may help reduce concussion risk by absorbing impact force. The science isn’t settled yet, but many sports medicine experts recommend them for that reason too. Either way, protecting the mouth is a no-brainer.
Let’s Protect Those Smiles
If your child is gearing up for a new season, or if you’re getting back into a sport yourself, now’s the perfect time to get fitted. Don’t wait for an injury to make it a priority. We’re conveniently located at 9650 Santiago Road, Suite 104, and we welcome families from Columbia, Ellicott City, Clarksville, Glenelg, and all over Howard County.
Call our new patient line at 410-670-8211 to schedule a mouthguard fitting. It’s quick, easy, and could save you a lot of trouble down the road. Let’s keep those smiles safe, on and off the field.