| Quick Answer: A mouthguard cushions your child’s teeth, lips, tongue, and jaw against impact during sports — and summer leagues, skating, and biking are prime time for dental injuries. The three main options are stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-fitted. A custom mouthguard made by a pediatric dentist offers the best fit, comfort, and protection, especially for kids who play contact or wheeled sports. |
Summer means more time outside — baseball and softball leagues, basketball at the park, skateboards, scooters, and bikes. It also, unfortunately, means more chipped, cracked, and knocked-out teeth. At Cabezon Pediatric Dentistry in Rio Rancho, we see a predictable uptick in sports-related dental injuries once school lets out.
The good news: most of these injuries are preventable with one inexpensive piece of gear. Here’s why a mouthguard belongs in your child’s summer kit — and how to choose the right one.
Why Summer Is Peak Season for Dental Injuries
When the school year ends, kids spend more hours in active play with less structure and supervision. Summer leagues ramp up, and wheeled activities like biking, skating, and scootering peak. A fall onto a handlebar or an elbow to the mouth during a pickup game can crack or knock out a tooth in an instant.
Dental injuries are among the most common sports injuries in children — and unlike a scraped knee, a damaged permanent tooth doesn’t grow back. That’s what makes prevention so worthwhile.
What a Mouthguard Actually Protects Against
- Chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth
- Cuts to the lips, tongue, and cheeks
- Injuries to the jaw joint
- Damage to braces or other dental work (for older kids in orthodontic treatment)
A mouthguard works by absorbing and spreading out the force of a blow so it isn’t concentrated on a few teeth. It’s a small, comfortable layer of protection that can save a child from a painful injury — and a family from an expensive emergency.
The Three Types of Mouthguards
Not all mouthguards offer the same protection. Here’s how the options compare:
| Type | How it fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | Pre-formed, ready to wear; can’t be adjusted | Lowest cost; bulky and least secure |
| Boil-and-bite | Softened in hot water, then molded to the teeth | A decent middle ground for casual play |
| Custom-fitted | Made by a dentist from a mold of your child’s teeth | Best fit, comfort, and protection; contact and wheeled sports |
For kids who play contact sports or do anything on wheels, a custom-fitted mouthguard is worth it. It stays put, lets your child breathe and talk comfortably, and provides the most reliable protection — which means it’s far more likely to actually be worn.
Which Summer Activities Call for a Mouthguard?
Any sport with a risk of contact, falls, or flying objects. That includes:
- Baseball and softball
- Basketball and soccer
- Football and martial arts
- Skateboarding, scootering, and BMX
- Biking and rollerblading
If your child wears braces, a mouthguard matters even more, since a blow to the mouth can drive brackets into the lips. Our sister practice, Cabezon Orthodontics next door, can help with mouthguard options designed to fit over braces.
Caring for a Mouthguard
- Rinse it before and after each use, and brush it gently with a toothbrush.
- Store it in a sturdy, ventilated case — not loose in a sports bag.
- Keep it out of hot cars and direct sun, which can warp it.
- Check the fit as your child grows; kids’ mouths change quickly, and a guard that no longer fits won’t protect well.
What to Do If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out
Even with precautions, accidents happen. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, act fast — quick action can sometimes save the tooth:
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the top), not the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse gently with milk or water — don’t scrub.
- If you can, place it back in the socket; otherwise keep it in milk or have your child hold it in their cheek.
- Call us immediately — seeing a dentist within about an hour gives the best chance of saving the tooth.
For a baby tooth that’s knocked out, don’t try to reinsert it, but do call us to check the area.
Get a Custom Mouthguard at Cabezon Pediatric Dentistry
Before summer leagues hit full swing, stop by our Rio Rancho office for a custom mouthguard fitted to your child’s mouth. We care for young athletes across Sandoval County — Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Corrales, and west Albuquerque — and as pediatric specialists, we make the process quick and comfortable. A little prevention now can save a lot of heartache later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my child really need a mouthguard for summer sports?
If your child plays contact sports or does anything on wheels — biking, skating, scootering — yes. A mouthguard is one of the simplest, most affordable ways to prevent chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth.
What kind of mouthguard is best for kids?
A custom-fitted mouthguard made by a pediatric dentist offers the best fit, comfort, and protection. Boil-and-bite guards are a reasonable middle option, while stock guards are bulky and least secure.
Can kids wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes — and they should. A mouthguard protects both the teeth and the braces and helps prevent brackets from cutting the lips. Our sister practice, Cabezon Orthodontics, can help with options designed for braces.
How do I clean my child’s mouthguard?
Rinse it before and after use, brush it gently with a toothbrush, and store it in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot cars so it doesn’t warp, and replace it if the fit changes as your child grows.
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?
For a permanent tooth, handle it by the crown, rinse gently with milk or water, try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and call us right away — ideally within an hour. For a baby tooth, don’t reinsert it, but call us to check the area.
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Gearing up for summer sports? We truly care about your child’s health and happiness. Reach out to get your child’s appointment scheduled. We can’t wait to see you. Cabezon Pediatric Dentistry │ 2421 Cabezon Blvd SE, Suite 101, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 │ (505) 884-5437 │ Contact Us → |