As more children participate in organized sports year-round, pediatric dentists are seeing a growing need for one simple but important piece of protective equipment: the mouthguard. From football and lacrosse to basketball, soccer, wrestling, and skateboarding, sports-related dental injuries are common among children and teens, yet many are preventable.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) both strongly recommend mouthguards for children participating in contact and collision sports to help reduce injuries to the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw by cushioning and distributing the force of impact.
Dental injuries can be serious and expensive to treat. A fractured or knocked-out permanent tooth may require years of dental care, including root canals, crowns, implants, or orthodontic treatment. Mouthguards help lower the risk of broken teeth, tooth loss, soft tissue injuries, and jaw fractures. Pediatric dentists also stress the importance of mouthguards for children with braces, since orthodontic brackets and wires can cause severe cuts to the lips and cheeks during falls or collisions.
But which type of mouthguard is the best for your young athlete? There are three main types of mouthguards:
- Custom-fabricated mouthguards, made by a dentist using an impression or digital scan of the child’s mouth, provide the best fit and protection.
- “Boil-and-bite” guards, sold at the major sporting goods stores, are softened in hot water and molded to the child’s mouth at home.
- Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and inexpensive, but because the fit is not molded to the child’s mouth, they offer the least protection.
There is currently no federal law mandating mouthguards for all youth sports nationwide. Instead, regulations are determined by state athletic associations, schools, and individual sports leagues. Pediatric dental organizations continue to advocate for broader mouthguard requirements, especially in sports like basketball and soccer where dental injuries remain common despite limited mandates.
In New Jersey, high school athletics are governed by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), which follows The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) standards requiring mouthguards in football, field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Wrestlers who have braces must also wear mouth protection.
One challenge is athlete compliance. Many young athletes avoid wearing mouthguards because they feel bulky or uncomfortable. The custom guard offers the most protection and comfort, which makes athletes more likely to wear them consistently. However, our philosophy is that the best mouthguard is the one that your child will actually wear and fits within the family budget. Something is always better than nothing!
Just like helmets and shin guards, mouthguards are an important part of protecting children during athletic activity. A simple appliance worn during games and practices can help preserve a child’s smile for years to come.
If you have any questions about mouthguard use, reach out to us at 856-288-1929 to schedule an appointment. Visit cobblestonekids.com to learn more about Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry.
