The leaves are turning, the Friday night lights are on, and across Lake Forest and Lake County, kids are suiting up for football, soccer, field hockey, and basketball season. As a parent, you have probably checked helmets, pads, and cleats off the list. But there is one small piece of gear that protects something irreplaceable: your child’s smile. A well-fitting sports mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to prevent chipped, broken, and knocked-out teeth, and fall is the perfect time to get one.
Why Mouthguards Matter More Than You Think
Dental injuries are among the most common sports injuries for children and teens. A single elbow, ball, or fall can mean a chipped tooth, a cut lip, or worse, a tooth that is knocked out completely. Beyond the immediate pain, a dental injury often means emergency visits, restorative treatment, and in some cases a lifetime of upkeep for a damaged tooth.
A mouthguard cushions the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue by absorbing and spreading out the force of a blow. Athletes who wear mouthguards experience dramatically fewer dental and facial injuries than those who do not. For a piece of equipment that costs so little and weighs almost nothing, the protection is remarkable.
Which Sports Call for a Mouthguard?
Football gets most of the attention, but dental injuries happen in nearly every sport. We recommend mouthguards for kids and teens playing:
- – Football and lacrosse
- – Soccer and field hockey
- – Basketball and volleyball
- – Wrestling and martial arts
- – Baseball and softball (especially for infielders)
- – Hockey, skateboarding, and other high-impact activities
A good rule of thumb: if the sport involves contact, speed, hard equipment, or a chance of falling, a mouthguard belongs in the gear bag.
Store-Bought vs. Custom: What Is the Difference?
Not all mouthguards protect equally. A mouthguard only works if it fits well and actually stays in your child’s mouth during the play, which is exactly where many over-the-counter options fall short. You will find two basic options at the sporting goods store, plus one better option at our office:
- – Stock mouthguards come pre-formed. They are inexpensive, but they fit loosely, make breathing and talking harder, and kids often chew on them or leave them on the bench.
- – Boil-and-bite mouthguards soften in hot water so they can be shaped at home. They fit better than stock guards, but the fit is still uneven, and they tend to wear out or get chewed up quickly.
- – Custom mouthguards are made in a dental office from an impression or digital scan of your child’s teeth. They fit snugly, stay in place, and make it easy to breathe and speak, which means kids actually keep them in during play.
The fit is not just about comfort. A mouthguard that stays put protects better, and one that feels natural gets worn consistently. That is the real win. A custom guard also works well for kids with braces, since it is shaped around the brackets instead of pressing against them.
How a Custom Mouthguard Is Made
The process is quick and easy, usually wrapped up in a short appointment or two:
1. We take an impression or digital scan of your child’s teeth. 2. The mouthguard is crafted to match that exact shape, with balanced thickness where protection matters most. 3. We check the fit, make any small adjustments, and send your athlete off with care instructions.
Many families pair the mouthguard visit with a regular cleaning and exam, so everything is handled in one trip before the season gets busy.
Caring for a Mouthguard
A few simple habits keep a mouthguard fresh and effective all season:
- – Rinse it with cool water after every use
- – Brush it gently with a toothbrush and mild soap now and then
- – Store it in a ventilated case, not a sealed bag or a hot car
- – Bring it to dental checkups so we can check the fit, especially as kids grow
Growing mouths change fast, so plan on replacing your child’s mouthguard each season or whenever it shows wear.
Get Your Athlete Game-Ready
Before the first whistle blows, make sure your child’s smile is protected. At Ross & Durrett Family Dental, we make custom sports mouthguards for young athletes all over Lake Forest and the surrounding communities, and we would love to get yours fitted before the season is in full swing. Contact our office or call (847) 234-8608 to schedule a quick fitting today. Let our family take care of yours!