How to Protect Your Child’s Teeth During Sports in The Woodlands

Youth sports are an important part of childhood in The Woodlands, but they also come with risks, especially to your child’s smile. Dental injuries like chipped teeth, jaw fractures, and soft tissue cuts are common during games and practices, especially in contact sports. As a parent, the best way to prevent these injuries is to understand how to keep your child’s mouth safe and protected.

At Growing Great Grins, we specialize in pediatric dental care and custom mouthguards designed specifically for active kids. Whether your child plays football, soccer, or even skateboards recreationally, we’re here to help you take the right steps to protect their teeth.

Why Is Dental Safety Important in Youth Sports?

Dental safety protects your child’s teeth, jaw, and soft tissues from trauma during physical activity. Many common sports carry a high risk of oral injuries, especially when children play without proper protection like a mouthguard.

What kinds of dental injuries happen in sports?

Children can experience a range of dental injuries while playing sports, including:

• Chipped or broken teeth, often caused by falls or direct hits to the face
• Knocked-out teeth, which require immediate emergency care
• Soft tissue injuries like cuts to the tongue, lips, or cheeks
• Jaw injuries or fractures from impacts to the lower face

These injuries can be painful, expensive to fix, and emotionally stressful for children. Preventing them starts with awareness and the right protective equipment.

Which sports have the highest dental injury risks?

Contact and fast-paced sports tend to pose the greatest risk to your child’s smile. Common high-risk activities include:

• Football, especially in tackle leagues
• Basketball, due to frequent collisions and elbow injuries
• Hockey, both ice and field
• Baseball and softball, particularly for pitchers and infielders
• Martial arts, gymnastics, and skateboarding

Here in The Woodlands, youth leagues and school sports are popular year-round, making dental safety an ongoing priority for parents and coaches alike.

What Are the Best Mouthguards for Kids?

The best mouthguards for kids are custom-fitted by a pediatric dentist to ensure comfort, protection, and durability. While over-the-counter options exist, custom mouthguards provide the most reliable defense against sports-related dental injuries.

Types of mouthguards and their pros and cons

There are three main types of mouthguards available for children:

• Stock mouthguards
  These are pre-formed and ready to wear, but they often fit poorly and may be uncomfortable. They’re inexpensive, but they offer minimal protection and can make it hard to talk or breathe. 
• Boil-and-bite mouthguards
  Made from thermoplastic material, these mouthguards are softened in hot water and molded to the child’s teeth. They fit better than stock options but still lack the precision of a professionally made guard. 
• Custom-fitted mouthguards
  Made by a pediatric dentist, these mouthguards are crafted to fit your child’s mouth exactly. They offer the highest level of comfort, protection, and durability. Custom mouthguards also allow your child to speak and breathe more easily during games.

Custom mouthguards are the gold standard for sports protection, especially for kids with braces, unique bite patterns, or special dental needs.

Why do dentists recommend custom mouthguards?

Custom mouthguards are recommended because they significantly reduce the risk of oral trauma. They’re designed specifically for your child’s anatomy, which helps distribute impact forces more evenly and reduces injury severity. At Growing Great Grins in The Woodlands, we tailor each mouthguard to match your child’s age, dental structure, and sport type.

When Should a Child Start Wearing a Mouthguard?

Children should start wearing a mouthguard as soon as they begin participating in sports with any risk of contact or falls. This includes contact sports like football and basketball, as well as high-motion activities like gymnastics or skating.

What age is appropriate to begin using mouthguards?

Most children benefit from wearing a mouthguard by age 6 or 7, depending on the sport and level of physical activity. If your child is active in youth leagues, plays rough recreationally, or wears braces, it’s a good idea to ask your pediatric dentist about mouthguard options.

Early use builds habits and provides protection during years when a child’s teeth and jaw are still developing.

Should non-contact sports use mouthguards too?

Yes, mouthguards aren’t just for full-contact sports. Activities like baseball, soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading, and even biking or skateboarding can lead to accidental falls or collisions. In The Woodlands, where many kids are involved in year-round outdoor activities, wearing a mouthguard during any high-impact movement is a smart choice.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Sports Dental Emergency

If your child suffers a dental injury during sports, act quickly to prevent long-term damage. The most important step is to contact your pediatric dentist immediately and follow emergency first aid steps until you’re able to get care.

First steps for a knocked-out tooth

When a permanent tooth is knocked out:

• Stay calm and locate the tooth immediately
• Handle it by the crown (top), not the root
• Rinse gently with water if dirty, but do not scrub
• Keep the tooth moist, ideally in milk or saline solution
• Call your pediatric dentist right away

If handled quickly and properly, a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be re-implanted successfully.

When to visit a pediatric dentist or urgent care

Seek dental care right away if your child experiences:

• A knocked-out or loose tooth
• A broken or cracked tooth
• Bleeding from the gums or mouth that doesn’t stop
• Signs of jaw injury or swelling

At Growing Great Grins in The Woodlands, we offer urgent dental care for children and can help manage sports-related dental emergencies with expertise and compassion. Don’t wait, fast action can save your child’s tooth and reduce the risk of complications.

How to Maintain and Replace Your Child’s Mouthguard

Proper maintenance of your child’s mouthguard keeps it effective, hygienic, and long-lasting. A clean, well-fitting mouthguard is more comfortable and provides better protection during sports activities.

How often should mouthguards be cleaned and replaced?

Mouthguards should be:

• Rinsed with cold water or mouthwash after every use
• Brushed gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste weekly
• Stored in a ventilated case to prevent bacterial buildup

Replace your child’s mouthguard every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if:

• There are visible tears, holes, or distortion
• It no longer fits snugly
• Your child’s mouth has changed due to growth, tooth movement, or braces

Signs a mouthguard no longer fits properly

You may need to replace the mouthguard if you notice:

• Your child frequently removes it or complains of discomfort
• It falls out easily or doesn’t stay in place
• It shows cracks, flattening, or bite marks

At our pediatric dental office in The Woodlands, regular checkups are part of our general and preventive dentistry for kids, helping us monitor mouthguard fit and recommend timely replacements.

Where to Get a Custom Mouthguard in The Woodlands

The best place to get a custom mouthguard for your child is at a pediatric dental office that understands how to tailor protection to growing smiles. A professionally fitted mouthguard ensures your child’s comfort, safety, and performance on the field.

Benefits of seeing a pediatric dentist for fittings

Pediatric dentists are trained to accommodate children’s dental development, including baby teeth, mixed dentition, and orthodontic appliances. Custom-fitted mouthguards: 

• Offer the most secure and comfortable fit
• Stay in place during physical activity
• Can be customized for kids with braces or unique bite patterns

They’re also less likely to be chewed or discarded mid-game, a common issue with store-bought options.

How Growing Great Grins helps families in The Woodlands

At Growing Great Grins, we provide custom sports mouthguards for children in The Woodlands that are specifically designed to fit your child’s mouth and sport. Our pediatric team ensures the process is easy and stress-free, with friendly care tailored to every child’s needs, including those who benefit from sedation dentistry in The Woodlands.

Schedule a fitting during your child’s regular exam or contact us directly for a custom consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are custom mouthguards worth it for children?

Yes, custom mouthguards offer better fit, comfort, and protection than store-bought options. They’re made specifically for your child’s teeth and are less likely to fall out or be chewed during play. 

What sports put my child’s teeth most at risk?

Contact sports like football, hockey, and basketball have the highest risk. However, even in The Woodlands, kids involved in skateboarding, gymnastics, or baseball can experience dental injuries. 

How often should a child’s mouthguard be replaced?

Mouthguards should be replaced every 6–12 months or sooner if damaged or outgrown. Your child’s dentist can assess fit during routine checkups. 

Can a mouthguard help prevent concussions in kids?

Yes, while not a guarantee, custom-fitted mouthguards may reduce the risk of concussions by absorbing shock from impacts.

Where can I get a custom mouthguard in The Woodlands?

Growing Great Grins offers custom-fitted mouthguards in The Woodlands, designed specifically for pediatric patients and active kids of all ages.

What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth during a game?

Keep the tooth moist in milk or saline, avoid touching the root, and call your pediatric dentist in The Woodlands immediately. Fast care improves the chance of saving the tooth.

Protect Your Child’s Smile with Expert Dental Care in The Woodlands

Dental injuries in sports are common, but they’re also highly preventable. With the right mouthguard, early education, and expert pediatric support, you can keep your child’s teeth safe during every game, practice, or play session. From choosing the best protection to knowing how to respond to an emergency, parents in The Woodlands have trusted resources available.

At Growing Great Grins, we specialize in custom mouthguards and sports dentistry for children in The Woodlands. Schedule your child’s fitting today and give them the confidence to play hard, with a healthy smile that lasts.