Childen's Hospital Boston
International Visitorsdotted lineRequest Appointmentdotted lineDirections
 advanced search
About Us Find a Specialist Locations Careers Press Room Giving To
Clinical Services For Patients & Families For Health Professionals Research
My Child Has
or find by letter:  A-F  G-L  M-R  S-Z
My Child Has...
 X
FlowerMouthguards
Programs related to this topic
 Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery    Orthodontics  
 Pediatric Dentistry  
The importance of mouthguards:
To protect the mouth and teeth from serious injury, a mouthguard, usually a flexible piece of plastic that fits into the mouth, should be worn during all recreational and athletic activities - especially activities where there is contact or potential contact with another person, piece of equipment, or the ground. In particular, mouthguards should be worn during the following sports:
  • football
  • soccer
  • rugby
  • wrestling
  • baseball
  • softball
  • lacrosse
  • field hockey
  • ice hockey
  • martial arts
  • boxing
Some of these sports require the use of a mouthguard at the amateur level.

Many recreational activities such as skateboarding and bicycling also pose a risk of injuring the mouth and teeth. Exercise caution during these activities.

Mouthguards and preventable injuries:
Injuries to the teeth, mouth, and head may include the following, many of which could be prevented with proper and consistent use of a mouthguard:
  • dislodged or knocked out tooth/teeth
  • concussion
  • cerebral hemorrhage
  • broken or chipped tooth
  • bitten or lacerated tongue and/or lip
  • objects caught/lodged between the teeth
  • jaw fracture
  • neck injury
  • jaw collision - the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw
Types of mouthguards:
There are several types of mouthguards that can be used. The following are two of the most common types:
  • pre-made mouthguards
    • One type is already made and can be found in most sport stores. There are different types and brands. Choose the one that fits best and is most comfortable.
  • custom-made mouthguards
    • Your adolescent's dentist can make a mouthguard specifically for your adolescent. These may be more expensive, but usually are more comfortable for the adolescent.
Consult your adolescent's dentist regarding the best type of mouthguard to use.
 X
Email this page
Printer Friendly
 X
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Accessibility Give Now