If you have a young child or teenager that plays sports, have you considered getting him or her a custom-fit mouthguard? Many parents are now choosing to do this, as a mouthguard offers excellent protection for a child's teeth and mouth. Here are several things you should understand about the use of a mouthguard during athletics.

What is a custom mouthguard?

A custom mouthguard is an object that is made to fit a person's mouth and bite. These can be made of different materials, but they are generally made of a plastic-like material. They are soft and comfortable to wear, and you can get one by visiting a dentist. The dentist will create one for you or your child by making impressions of your teeth. He or she will use these impressions to create a mouthguard that will only fit perfectly inside your mouth or your child's mouth.

What type of protection does this offer?

When a child wears a mouthguard while playing sports, the child's teeth and mouth will be highly protected. For one, a mouthguard absorbs pressure and trauma. If a ball hits the child in the face, it could still hurt the child, but it may not hurt the child's teeth if he or she is wearing the mouthguard. The mouthguard will absorb a lot of the pressure, which helps keep the child's teeth safe.

This means that when a child wears a mouthguard while playing sports, he or she will have a less likely chance of experiencing chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, and other types of problems that can occur when teeth experience major forms of trauma. If your child has braces, this can still be a good option. In fact, wearing a mouthguard with braces will protect the child's gums from getting cut if something hits his or her teeth.

What other benefits does a mouthguard offer?

Wearing a mouthguard is a great option for anyone who plays sports, but a mouthguard has other benefits too. The main one is when a person grinds his or her teeth. Wearing a mouthguard is often recommended by dentists for people who grind their teeth, as the mouthguard offers protection for the teeth while the person is sleeping.

Getting a custom-fit mouthguard for your child to wear is a great idea if you want to protect his or her teeth. To learn more about mouthguards and the options you could choose from, contact a dentistry clinic like Ramtown Dental Associates today.