Mouthguards for Active Kids: A Parent's Guide

Football after school, taekwondo on the weekend, scooters around the compound: active children are happy children. But falls and knocks to the face are one of the most common reasons we see broken or knocked-out teeth. A simple mouthguard can reduce that risk a great deal, and it costs far less, in every sense, than repairing a front tooth.

Which sports need a mouthguard?

A good rule is: if there is a ball, a stick, a fall or another player's body involved, think about a mouthguard. That includes:

• Contact and combat sports: martial arts, boxing, wrestling, rugby.
• Team sports: football, basketball, handball and hockey, where elbows, balls and collisions are common.
• Wheels and boards: cycling, skating, skateboarding and scooters, ideally together with a helmet.

Even casual games at the park bring the same knocks as club matches.

The three types of mouthguard

1. Stock (ready-made) mouthguards Bought ready to wear in a few sizes.

• Pros: cheap, easy to find.
• Cons: often bulky and loose, so children may struggle to talk and breathe, and many simply take them out. A guard in the bag protects nothing.

2. Boil-and-bite mouthguards Softened in hot water, then shaped by biting into them, following the packet instructions carefully.

• Pros: better fit than stock guards, widely available, a reasonable choice for many children.
• Cons: the fit depends on how well it is moulded.

3. Custom-made mouthguards Made by a dentist from a mould or scan of your child's teeth.

• Pros: usually the best fit and comfort, easier to speak and breathe in, so children are more likely to actually wear it.
• Cons: needs a dental visit, and will need remaking as the mouth changes.

Whichever type you choose, the best mouthguard is the one your child is happy to keep in for the whole game.

Children with braces

Children wearing braces need protection even more, because a knock can push the lips onto the brackets and cut them, or damage the braces themselves. There are mouthguards designed to fit over braces. A standard boil-and-bite guard is generally not a good idea, because it can grip the brackets as it sets. Ask your orthodontist which type suits your child's treatment.

A growing mouth means a changing fit

Between about 6 and 12 years, baby teeth are falling out and new ones are coming in, so a mouthguard that fitted well in September may feel loose or tight by spring. Check the fit regularly and expect to replace it:

• when your child says it feels uncomfortable or falls out easily
• after a new tooth comes in or one is lost
• if it is torn, thin, or has holes from chewing
• at least every sports season for most active children

Care and cleaning

1. Rinse it with cool water after every use. Hot water can warp it.
2. Brush it gently with a toothbrush and a little mild soap, then rinse well.
3. Let it dry and store it in a ventilated case, not loose in the sports bag.
4. Keep it out of the hot car. Abu Dhabi summer heat can bend a mouthguard out of shape in a short time.
5. Don't share mouthguards between siblings or teammates.
6. Bring it to dental check-ups so your dentist can look at the fit.

Remind your child that a mouthguard is not a chew toy. Chewing on it between plays wears it thin, and a thin guard protects less.

Helmets and face protection

For cycling, skating and scooters, a properly fitted helmet is just as important as a mouthguard. In some sports, such as hockey, a face cage or shield adds more protection.

If an accident happens

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, hold it by the crown (the white part), not the root, rinse briefly if dirty, and try to put it back in the socket, or keep it in milk, and see a dentist straight away. Time matters. Do not put a baby tooth back in. For any head injury, loss of consciousness or serious bleeding, call 998.