Saturday morning soccer. Travel baseball. Rec league basketball. If your kid plays sports, you’ve already got a checklist: shin guards, helmet, water bottle, snacks. But there’s one piece of gear that often gets overlooked until something goes wrong. And by then, it’s too late. We’re talking about a custom mouthguard.
At Pediatric Dentistry of Winter Park, Dr. Allie Miller sees it every season: a child who took an elbow to the face, a ball to the mouth, or a hard fall on the court. The result? Chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, or even damage to a jaw that’s still growing. But most of those injuries don’t have to happen. The right protection makes all the difference.
The Real Risk: More Than Just a Lost Tooth
Parents sometimes think mouthguards are only for “rough” sports like football or hockey. But that’s not true. The American Dental Association says kids in non-contact sports get dental injuries too.
Which sports put your child at risk? Here’s the list:
- Basketball and baseball
- Soccer and flag football
- Gymnastics and martial arts
- Skateboarding and biking
- Lacrosse and field hockey
Kids who don’t wear a mouthguard are 60 times more likely to hurt their teeth. That’s not a small difference. That’s a gamble most parents don’t realize they’re taking.
One knocked-out tooth can mean an emergency dental visit, months of follow-up care, and thousands of dollars. A custom mouthguard costs way less than that and gives you real peace of mind.
Why “Boil and Bite” Isn’t Enough
You’ve seen them at the sporting goods store. Those cheap mouthguards you boil in water and have your kid bite into. They cost a few bucks and seem better than nothing. But those one-size-fits-all guards don’t work as well as you’d hope.
The problems with store-bought mouthguards:
- They’re bulky and make it hard to breathe
- They slip or fall out during play
- Kids spit them out because they’re uncomfortable
- They don’t protect all the teeth evenly
A mouthguard that isn’t worn is useless. And no kid will wear one that feels like they’re choking.
The Custom Difference
A custom mouthguard from Dr. Miller is different because it’s made just for your child’s smile.
Here’s what you get with a custom guard:
- A perfect fit. We take an impression of your child’s teeth. The guard snaps in and stays there.
- Real comfort. Your child can breathe, talk, and drink water without taking it out.
- Protection for braces. If your child has braces or expanders, a custom guard protects both the teeth and the hardware.
- It lasts. Better materials mean one guard can handle several seasons.
The process couldn’t be simpler. Your child visits our office for a quick impression. We send it to the lab. A few weeks later, they’ve got a guard that feels like it belongs in their mouth.
A Note on Growing Smiles
Kids change fast. Baby teeth fall out. Permanent teeth come in. Orthodontic treatment shifts things around.
That’s why Dr. Miller recommends checking your child’s mouthguard every six months during their regular cleaning. If the fit’s off, we can adjust it or make a new one. Easy.
Protect Their Smile Before the Season Starts
Sports are supposed to be fun. They build character, teamwork, and confidence. A dental injury shouldn’t be part of the experience.
This season, add one more thing to your gear list. Call Pediatric Dentistry of Winter Park to ask about a custom mouthguard for your young athlete. Their smile’s worth protecting: especially when they’re running headfirst toward the goal.