Best Mouthguard for Kids

Mouthguards can be really useful for children, just as they are for adults. While there is a huge number of adults that use them for medical problems, such as sleep apnea, children will mostly need them if they practice sports that could result in falling and getting injured. But what are some of the things that you should know before buying mouthguards for your children and what are some of your best options right now?

You may be interested in: How to Clean a Dental Mouthguard

Choosing Mouthguards for Kids

While it may seem like a complicated process because every parent wants what’s best for their child, choosing a mouthguard is all about knowing some pretty basic things about these kinds of products:

• First and foremost, a mouthguard for kids should be made from materials that are safe. Since these products (and especially ones that are custom-made), following a very specific set of standards, make sure that you always buy mouthguards made by trusted companies and are sold by authorized sellers.
• Second, a mouthguard should be comfortable, regardless of whether it was purchased for a child or an adult. Mouthguards are not a one-size-fits-all type of product, so you need to make sure that the mouthguard you buy is in a kid’s size. Don’t try to make them use one that’s made for an adult because it simply won’t work. If your child feels major discomfort (some discomfort is natural at first because it is a large mouthpiece that they’ll have to get used to wearing), then maybe they’re not using the best product.
• Mouthpieces should be easy to clean. Oral hygiene is important for every person, and even more important for children. It is very easy for a mouthguard to get dirty and the fact that it resides in a humid environment makes it even more favorable for bacteria to develop. So, make sure that you choose a mouthguard that’s really easy to clean.
• Tear-resistance is another important aspect, especially if the mouthguard your kid needs is for sports. If the mouthguard breaks or shows any signs of tear, it should be changed with a new one. Even so, try to read reviews and look at materials to figure out which option would be resistant enough to meet its purpose.
• Mouthguards for children should not hinder speech. They should be able to say whatever they need to say without restrictions, especially if they have to communicate with other players on the field.
• It’s also important for the mouthguard not to hinder breathing. Have you ever tried practicing sports or having an intense workout without breathing through your mouth even the slightest? Then you must understand the importance of a mouthguard that gives your child breathing space. The body requires quite a lot of oxygen when working out, and whatever it fails to take by inhaling through the nose, it compensates by inhaling through the mouth.

A Word on Bruxism

For the most part, children require a mouthguard to help protect their oral cavities in case of sports injuries. However, another thing that such products are known to help with is bruxism. This is a medical term that’s used to describe teeth grinding, a phenomenon that both children and adults can suffer from.

While there are plenty of children that eventually end up outgrowing their bruxism, it is a problem that needs to be kept under control to avoid long-term damage. Even if the exact causes of bruxism have yet to be discovered, doctors do seem to have some idea why children suffer from it. As expected, one of the primary causes suspected is teething. Since this is normally a painful process, some children tend to grind their teeth in order to ease the pain.

In other cases, stress can also lead to bruxism. Even children can feel stressed if they are under a lot of pressure of school or are facing some of the problems that arise in different stages of their growth. Bruxism can also be common amongst children who are hyperactive or suffer from different mental conditions, such as cerebral palsy.

One of the main problems of having a child with bruxism is that they are not normally awake of the fact they’re grinding their teeth so hard, so it falls upon the parents to realize they might have a problem. If you notice your child making grinding noises when sleeping/awake, if they report feeling pain when chewing, or if they claim to wake up with a sore face/jaw in the morning, those could be the first signs of a teeth-grinding problem.

Regardless of whether your child has bruxism born from physical or psychological nature, it’s really important for you to keep it under control. Not only are regular dentist appointments required, but a mouthguard can help prevent tooth damage. However, one of the most important things is to talk to your child and see if they might be going through some problems that could cause them to feel stressed and anxious. Remember that bruxism can occur when the child is sleeping or awake.

If left untreated, bruxism can lead to permanent teeth damage, pain, irritability, headaches, and more.

Best Mouthguards for Kids

For the most part, choosing your own mouthguard is a simple process, but when you have to buy one for your child, it could take a little trial and error to land a product that works and feel comfortable to use at the same time. Stick with us as we go through the top 5 best mouthguards for kids.

Bottom Line

The process of choosing the right mouthguard for a child is basically the same as choosing one for an adult. There are certain things that you want to look out for, especially since children mostly need a mouthguard to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums safe while practicing sports, or to prevent them from grinding their teeth if they have bruxism. 

If you know what the main characteristics of the best mouthguards for kids are, it should be fairly easy to narrow down your choice to a list of top 5 products that just might be worth your money.