Should my child wear a mouthguard when playing sports?
Yes. The Massachusetts Dental Society strongly recommends that children (and adults) wear mouthguards when participating in contact sports in which injury to the mouth is possible. Athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer damage to the mouth when not wearing a protective mouthguard. As the name implies, mouthguards help prevent injury to the mouth area, especially the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. Even athletes who use helmets or face masks should wear mouthguards, since they also protect against head and neck injuries by cushioning blows that could otherwise cause concussions or jaw fractures.
