Sports are an important component of many childhoods, and researchers estimate that around 60 million kids and teens (between the ages 6 to 18) participate in organized sports annually. Many kids’ lives revolve around their favorite sports because they can help kids:
- Level up physical and social skills
- Learn valuable life lessons (like the importance of teamwork, respect, and fair-mindedness)
- Weld life-long friendships
- Improve their self-esteem
While the value of sports seems endless, athletic activities can inevitably lead to irreversible dental injuries, like teeth knocked out. In fact, millions of teeth are knocked out each year as a result of a sports-related dental injury which can lead to:
- Immediate and prolonged trauma and discomfort
- Time away from school and work for restorative care for sports-related injuries
- Added unexpected expenses
Here’s a Proven Way to Reduce the Risk of Sports-Related Injuries
Does this mean that we believe that your child should stop playing sports? Of course not! We want our kids dentistry patients to be healthy and active. Still, we also want our young patients to have the opportunity to protect their teeth! Thankfully, there’s a relatively inexpensive, safe, and simple solution to the common oral health issue: a properly-fitted athletic mouthguard.
Whether your child is in organized sports or likes to occasionally play pick-up games, outfitting them with an athletic mouthguard can protect their teeth, jaws, and other oral structures from irreversible damage.
Why are athletic mouthguards important?
You wouldn’t let your child play sports without all the necessary equipment. Similar to how you wouldn’t let your child play football without a sturdy helmet and protective padding, a mouthguard can help prevent dentofacial injuries and concussions.
Athletic mouthguards are designed to absorb and distribute the forces of impact. This dainty yet powerful piece of biocompatible plastic minimizes the risk of concussions and traumatic dentofacial injuries to the:
- Lips
- Gums
- Tongue
- Cheeks
- Teeth
- Jaws
- TMJ (the joint that connects the upper and lower jaw bones)
Athletic Mouthguards in Lorton, VA
When your child joins a team, their coach likely will establish a culture of injury prevention and introduce habits that keep kids safe, like warming up, cooling down, and wearing protective gear. Therefore, it only makes sense for your child to wear a protective athletic mouthguard during physical activity to safeguard your young athlete’s smile from dental emergencies.
Whether your child is involved with basketball, soccer, or rhythmic gymnastics, minimize their risk of sport-related injuries by investing in a custom-fit mouthguard. Schedule an athletic mouthguard consultation at Petite Smiles Boutique Pediatric Dentistry by calling (703)-688-2155 or sending us a short message right now.
Petite Stories
My experience at Petite Smiles Dentistry with Dr. Heba Rashed exceeded my expectations. The clinic itself was beautifully designed with a child-friendly atmosphere, creating a relaxing environment. It was evident that they catered to their patients and the attention to detail was remarkable.
Brittany D.
So glad my kids first dental experience was at Petite Smiles! I have 4-year-old triplets and each one was so comfortable at the clinic. The entire Petite Smiles team was incredibly warm and welcoming. They engaged with my kids, which really helped them feel comfortable throughout their cleaning and checks. And Dr. Rashed was awesome - very knowledgeable, thorough, and communicative throughout the visit.
Fairuz M
I'm absolutely thrilled to share our wonderful experience with Petite Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. From the moment we stepped into their clinic, we were greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere that immediately put my children at ease. They even had a board with their names welcoming them in! It’s so important to create such a positive environment for children where they could be nervous…