Mouthguards
Mouthguards help shield your child’s teeth, lips, mouth, and jaw from injury. We highly encourage them for children who participate in sports—especially contact sports—as well as kids who are getting their permanent teeth and still tend to grind.
Kids' Mouthguards and Night Guards
Sports Mouthguard
If your child plays contact sports, a mouthguard is one of the most important pieces of gear they can wear. It protects their lips, tongue, teeth, and jaw from injury—helping prevent everything from a bitten lip during a rough play to a knocked-out tooth that could affect their oral health for years. A simple mouthguard can make a big difference in keeping your young athlete safe.
Night Guards
Night guards work much like mouthguards, but they’re worn while your child sleeps to protect their teeth from unconscious clenching and grinding. This habit—known as bruxism—can lead to cracked teeth, broken restorations, headaches, and jaw discomfort if not addressed. A night guard can help prevent these issues and keep your child’s smile healthy.
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When does my child really need a mouthguard?
We recommend a mouthguard whenever your child plays contact sports or engages in activities where there’s a risk of getting hit in the mouth — football, soccer, basketball, hockey, skateboarding, etc. A properly fitted mouthguard protects their lips, tongue, teeth, and jaw from injury.
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When should my child wear a night guard instead of just waiting for them to grow out of teeth grinding?
We may recommend a night guard when grinding (bruxism) is frequent or causing signs of dental wear, jaw or tooth pain, fractures, or other problems — not simply occasional grinding. We carefully consider age, stage of dental development, and severity before prescribing a guard for a child.
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What kind of mouthguard or night guard works best for kids?
A custom-fitted guard made by your pediatric dentist is the safest and most effective. We take impressions of your child’s teeth and manufacture a guard that fits snugly, offers full protection, and adjusts as their teeth grow — unlike store-bought “one-size-fits-all” guards, which often don’t fit well and provide minimal protection.
Questions about mouthguards or night guards?
We can create a custom mouthguard or night guard designed to give your child the highest level of comfort and protection. Request an appointment, explore our full range of pediatric dental services, or contact us anytime with questions about your child’s oral health.
