Mouthguards & Occlusal Guards

When should I consider a mouthguard for my child?

Mouthguard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries and Bruxism (habitual grinding of teeth).

The ADA recommends wearing a properly fitted mouthguard to reduce the incidence and severity of oral injury. A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances.

Habitual grinding is most frequently a reaction to stress. Sometimes abnormalities in your bite or malocclusion bite can trigger clenching or grinding. It is normal for children to sometimes grind their teeth when new teeth are coming in, but it may be indications of stress too.Clenching, or grinding of your teeth (also known as bruxing) are common habits.

Mouthguards should have adequate retention to provide a resilient, protective surface on the dental arch that is considered to be at highest risk of injury (typically the maxilla), and to offer protection from soft tissue injuries to the lips and cheeks. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs encourage patient education about the benefit of mouthguard and occlusal guard.

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