Unfortunately, sports, especially baseball, encourage children to take up tobacco. When they see successful baseball players who make millions of dollars with a cheek of spit tobacco on national TV, they are not likely to see anything wrong with using the substance. However, football, field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse are the only high school sports in which mouthguards are mandated. It is important for anyone involved in sports or recreational activities in which mouth injuries can occur to wear mouthguards. The Academy of Sports Dentistry encourages using mouthguards because unlike other injuries, dental injuries are often permanent.
Families can purchase mouthguards in stores.
Some store bought guards can be bulky and uncomfortable, and interfere with speech and breathing. Your GDA member dentist can create a custom mouthguard, even if a child wears braces. They are more expensive, but can provide a more comfortable fit. And if the guard feels better in the mouth, it's more likely to be worn. Ask your dentist about mouth protectors.