The History of Dentistry
What Your Orthodontist Wants You to Know About Mouthguards for Children
Regina Carlson
Your orthodontist may want your child to wear a mouthguard, especially when children play contact sports. Mouthguards are one of the most beneficial oral products on the market, and here are four things anyone in orthodontics wants you as a parent to know.
More Children Need to Wear Them
Mouthguards aren't just for children playing contact sports. They also protect the teeth from clenching, grinding and other dental issues. More children need to wear them, as research has shown only 30 percent of children use them at the moment, according to Delta Dental Plans Association. Parents not encouraging their children to use them are putting their child at risk of gum damage, tooth loss, and tooth decay. Mouthguards are now compulsory in American football because of the proven benefits.
Custom Made Mouthguards Are Available
Cheap mouthguards in sports stores are made to standard sizes. They aren't always the most comfortable but tend to be a good place to start. They still offer protection to the teeth but can cut into the gums. It is possible to go the orthodontics route and get custom made mouthguards instead.
Professionally made mouthguards are created through taking a mould of a child's mouth. The guards are then created based on that mould so they fit exactly. These are especially beneficial for children who grind their teeth overnight since the children are more likely to wear mouthguards while they sleep.
Braces Will Be Protected Through the Use of Mouthguards
When your child gets braces, mouthguards are a necessity. However, most children won't wear them. If your child plays any type of sport, orthodontists want you to push your child to wear a mouthguard even more. Your child is at a risk of trauma to the mouth, and this can damage the braces and then the teeth!
Damage to the braces can also mean damage to other parts of the mouth. The metal can cut into the gums, lips and cheeks.
They Only Protect Against Grinding Side Effects
Mouthguards are commonly prescribed in children who grind their teeth, especially overnight. The guards will protect the teeth from damage, but they don't stop the actual problem of grinding.
Some within the orthodontics field has stopped prescribing mouthguards. They want to treat the reason for the grinding, rather than essentially covering it with a bandage. You can choose a mouthguard, but work on the reasons for the grinding at the same time.
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved stories about the past. Whether the stories were about horses, wars, exploration or even dentistry, I loved to hear them. I find that knowing the history of something helps it to make sense and feel approachable. I know that some people have dental anxiety, and I too have suffered, but I also feel like the more you know about dental work and its history, the easier it is. This blog is dedicated to exploring the history of dentistry – What did ancient people use for fillings? How did early dentists numb their patients? Who was the first dentist? Those are just some of the questions I plan to answer here. Ready? Okay, let's dive into the history of dentistry together!