Introduction:
There are several types of mouthguards made to protect children from injury to their teeth, tongue and gums while they are participating in a contact sport.
Symptoms:
Your child may receive a blow to the mouth and suffer cuts or broken teeth as a result.
Diagnosis:
The results of injuries to the inside and outside of the mouth may be obvious but your dentist will take xrays to determine any undisclosed damages.
Treatment:
You can buy a mouthguard in any store that sells sporting goods and equipment or you can have one custom made by your dentist.
A premolded mouthguard is the least expensive type. They are one size fits all and can be awkward to wear.
The hot water formed mouthguard can also be purchased in a retail store. Hot water will soften the material to the point that it can be shaped to fit over your child’s teeth.
The better mouthguard is the custom fitted one that your dentist can make specifically for your child. Your dentist will want to check it from time to time to make sure it is withstanding the wear and tear. Keep the mouthguard clean and away from extreme heat.