Whether your student plays football, basketball, soccer, hockey, baseball, or another active sport, protecting their teeth should be part of getting ready for the season. A collision, fall, or unexpected impact can quickly lead to a chipped, fractured, or knocked-out tooth.
 

For families in Corunna and nearby Owosso, choosing the right sports mouthguard can provide an added layer of protection during practices and games. While store-bought mouthguards are widely available, a professionally made custom sports mouthguard offers important differences in fit, comfort, and retention.
 

Why Student Athletes Need Mouthguards

Dental injuries are possible in any activity where athletes can collide, fall, or be struck by equipment.
 

A mouthguard creates a protective barrier over the teeth and can help absorb and distribute forces from an impact. This can reduce the risk of chipped or broken teeth and injuries to the lips, cheeks, and other soft tissues.
 

Athletes should still use all other sport-specific protective equipment required for their activity. A mouthguard is designed to protect the mouth and teeth, not replace helmets or other safety gear.
 

What Are Store-Bought Mouthguards?

Store-bought mouthguards generally come in stock or boil-and-bite designs.
 

Stock guards are preformed and ready to wear, while boil-and-bite guards are softened in hot water and shaped around the teeth at home. These options are easy to find and tend to cost less upfront.
 

However, the fit can vary considerably. A mouthguard that feels bulky, moves during play, or makes speaking and breathing difficult may be less likely to stay properly positioned when an athlete needs it.
 

How Are Custom Sports Mouthguards Different?

Custom sports mouthguards are designed around an athlete's individual teeth and bite. A dental professional takes an impression or digital scan that can be used to create a more precise fit.
 

Potential advantages of a custom-fit mouthguard include:
 

• A closer, more secure fit around the teeth
• Less shifting during running or physical activity
• Improved comfort compared with bulky stock guards
• Easier speaking and breathing for many athletes
• Protection shaped around the athlete's individual smile
• Greater likelihood that the athlete will wear it consistently

For a student spending an entire season practicing and competing, comfort can be especially important. A protective device only helps when the athlete actually wears it.
 

Which Option Is Right for Your Child?

A store-bought mouthguard is generally better than participating in a high-risk activity with no mouth protection at all. For occasional recreational activities, some families may find a properly fitted boil-and-bite guard practical.
 

A custom sports mouthguard may be worth considering for athletes who play frequently, participate in contact or collision sports, have previously suffered a dental injury, or struggle with the fit of over-the-counter guards.
 

Students with braces or other dental appliances also require special consideration. Their mouthguard needs to protect the teeth while accommodating changes in the mouth during orthodontic treatment.
 

Check the Mouthguard Throughout the Season

Young athletes' mouths can change as permanent teeth erupt and orthodontic treatment progresses. Mouthguards also become worn through biting, chewing, repeated use, and exposure to sports equipment.
 

Parents should inspect the guard regularly for cracks, tears, distortion, or a noticeably loose fit. Clean it after use according to the manufacturer's or dentist's instructions and store it in a ventilated protective case.
 

If your child has a dental exam during the sports season, bring the mouthguard along so its condition and fit can be reviewed.
 

Know What to Do After a Dental Injury

Even with appropriate protection, dental injuries can still happen.
 

A chipped, loose, displaced, or knocked-out permanent tooth should be evaluated promptly. If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, handle it by the crown rather than the root and contact a dentist immediately. Severe facial trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or other serious injuries may require emergency medical care.
 

Keep your Corunna or Owosso student athlete's smile protected this season by scheduling a dental visit with Riverview Dental at 611 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817, or call (989) 743-4851 to discuss your child's oral health and sports-related dental protection.