As your child begins to mature, they may become interested in a variety of different sports. Some of these can be categorised as full contact, while others may be a little more passive, but as a parent, you will always want to ensure that they are as safe as possible when they engage in physical activity. With this in mind, you certainly need to take care of their dentition and ensure that it is as protected as possible in those formative years. What steps can you take to provide them with the best level of care here?
All Sports Can Be 'Contact'
Any team sport can, to a certain extent, be classified as 'contact', even though this may not be as obvious as it would be in the case of rugby or hockey. Other players can get a little overenthusiastic, and the swing of an errant bat or racket or a badly aimed ball could very easily cause an injury.
This is why it's important for you to get a mouth guard for your child that is designed for the purpose and, crucially, that is custom made. This will help them prepare for every eventuality and have an extra level of protection in the event of an unfortunate accident.
Protection Required
Remember, your child is developing all the way up through adolescence, and the bone structure in their mouth, in particular, needs to be protected during this time. It would not be good, therefore, if the kid were to sustain quite a serious injury that might result in the loss of a permanent tooth or, in the worst-case situation, the need for a bone graft.
Making Your Own Choice
It doesn't matter if other parents are not following your lead, as you are responsible for your own child and have enough to worry about. Don't take the lead from a school board or sporting authority either, as they may not necessarily recommend the use of a mouth guard in that situation. Just consider your position from a practical and sensible point of view and make sure that you get a custom-made mouth guard for your child, no matter what.
Finding Your Solution
Talk with your dentist if you are going to get the best solution possible and try not to rely on any off-the-shelf guards that you might find in your local store. A purpose-made solution will be designed to provide the maximum level of protection and will be a lot more comfortable at the same time. Contact a local dentist to learn more about mouth guards.