My son was eight years old, and when he jumped on his friend’s hoverboard, the two of them glided down the street like one glorious unit, sharing a small slice of plastic. They steered toward the sidewalk, but the moment they hit the concrete, the machine stopped and went flying.
A few minutes later, my son stood in front of me crying, lifting his chin to show me where half of his front teeth had been.
These are adult teeth.
He holds up the pieces like chipped porcelain. I really wish I could superglue it back into his mouth like I do with all the dinner plates and coffee mugs.
That tooth will never come back.
I immediately feel irrationally saddened by it. Then I write in my notebook and lament the expense of fixing it.
I hate to admit it, but I waited months to make a dentist appointment partly because I was busy and partly because I was scared of how much the repairs would cost. Besides, I’ve kind of gotten used to his chipped smile.
Of course, my child shouldn’t have been riding double on a hoverboard. But what never crossed my mind at the time was that my child should also wear an electric mouthguard. Had it been a common practice like wearing a helmet, his adult teeth could have been saved.
So I asked my orthodontist and dentist. When should kids actually wear mouthguards? The answer is much broader than I expected, and extends far beyond just contact sports.
Children need to wear mouthguards more than you think
While we might all expect injuries from contact sports like football or hockey, pediatric dentist Dr. Riel Grynbaum says he treats many young patients with seemingly low-risk activities like playing on the playground, jumping on trampolines, and riding scooters.
Thanks to the proliferation of e-bikes, mopeds and other powered equipment, the risk of dental injuries has increased, he says. (I know this firsthand.)
Basketball is another underrated sport, added orthodontist Karin Grinbaum. This is because athletes raise their arms high to defend themselves, and “even an accidental elbow to the face can cause significant damage to the front teeth.”
Riel recommends mouthguards be worn in all contact sports by age 7 or 8, when adult teeth begin to emerge. “Many parents believe that mouthguards are not essential because they are ‘just’ children and are unlikely to sustain any trauma,” he says. “All you need is a 1 in 100 chance. If your child is unfortunate enough to be affected by it, it can be a lifelong battle to maintain dental health.”
Therefore, mouthguards should be worn in high-contact sports such as rugby, wrestling, martial arts, lacrosse, and football. But it’s also worth considering sports like baseball, basketball, softball, and soccer, as well as recreational sports like skateboarding, biking, inline skating, and hoverboarding.
For young children, Riel doesn’t worry too much about baby teeth, especially since this age group is less likely to tolerate wearing a mouthguard.
Mouthguards are worth every penny.
Although we have standardized helmets for head injuries, dental injuries can also have long-term effects on your child’s health. and to your bank account. The big picture: Purchasing a mouthguard is cheaper than repairing damage to permanent teeth, says Karin.
In my own experience, I paid about $200 to have my teeth fixed. When I bought my son a mouthguard, it cost about $25. So the math definitely favors the mouthguard.
How to choose the right mouthguard
Mouthguards come in three options: stock, boil and bite, and custom fit.
Genuine mouthguards are ready-made and “one size fits all.”
Boil and bite mouthguards are more “semi-custom.” Soften the U-shaped material and bite into it to harden it. These are widely available in pharmacies and online and serve as a budget-friendly intermediate product.
Some parents choose fully customizable mouthguards using 3D scanners and molds. “Custom fit fits better, doesn’t irritate the gums, and fully protects all surfaces of the tooth,” says Karin. However, any mouthguard is “better than nothing.”
Proper care and cleaning of your mouthguard
Like retainers and sports cups, mouthguards can become a breeding ground for bacteria if not properly cared for.
Terrible, I know.
Karin advises cleaning your mouthguard with antibacterial soap and water and letting it air dry on a clean surface. They also need to be replaced seasonally or every six months as the mouth grows and wears out.
Now, when my kids get behind the wheel, I don’t just think about their helmets, I also think about their teeth.
