Soft plastic mouthguards can be used to protect a child’s lips, cheeks and gums from sport related injuries. Mouthguards also help children avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth or even tooth loss. A custom-fitted mouthguard developed by a pediatric dentist will protect your child from injuries to the teeth, face and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.

“It is important for kids who play sports to start wearing mouthguards from a young age so it becomes a routine and habit-formed,” says sports and exercise medicine physician Anne Rex, DO, FAOASM. “The mouthguard isn’t optional but regarded as any other piece of their essential equipment and uniform.”