Playing Sports

If your child participates in school or community sports programs, there will always be an associated risk of injuries due to falls, collisions, and contact with hard surfaces. As a preventive measure,  the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) recommends that children use a properly fitted mouthguard. This will help prevent broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face and jaw.

A properly fitted mouthguard will stay in place while your child is wearing it, without interfering with speech or breathing. Due to children’s continuous growth changes, these appliances should be custom-fitted and checked continuously by your pediatric dentist.

Schools participating in sports programs must be prepared to manage injuries to the face and body when they occur. When necessary, an injury management plan must be prepared and put into use.  For more information, see our sections on “Emergencies” and “Post-Op procedures”.