Mouth Guards for Kids: What Parents Should Know

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Boy inserting a mouth guard for teeth protection before playing sports.

As a parent, your child's health and safety are probably central to your thoughts. You want the best for your child's health while they are sitting in the classroom, climbing and swinging on the playground, or running down the field with a soccer ball! You would most likely consider a safety helmet, knee pads, or any number of other protective equipment and gear, but you would not consider one significant piece of safety equipment – a kid's mouthguard.

A kid's mouth guard for teeth protection is not just for the kid who is an athlete on a professional level. It is a protective piece of equipment that all active children should wear, especially when it comes to their youth sports. A mouth guard for kids' protection is necessary. Let's explore everything you need to know for choosing the right mouth guard for kids.

Why Do Kids Need a Mouth Guard?

Kids are spontaneous and brave. They can literally throw caution to the wind and be in the moment. They engage in sports, games, and activities often with such gusto that they end up injuring themselves! Accidents can occur so easily - tripping on a basketball court or getting creamed in rugby practice. A solid hit could mean broken teeth, jaws, or dental fractures. A youth sports mouth guard for kids is arguably a critical protection factor, offering some much-needed cushion and preventing a costly dental accident.

Key Benefits of Mouth Guards for Kids:

  • Protects growing teeth from fractures
  • Reduces risk of jaw injuries
  • Provides peace of mind during high-contact sports

Protect Your Child’s Smile with a Custom Mouth Guard from Smilepath Now!

Give them the comfort, fit, and safety they deserve.

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The Importance of Mouth Guards in Youth Sports

A picture describing the importance of mouthguards
Importance of mouthguards

Overall, dental injuries are the most common in children associated with sports. This is why virtually all children playing football, hockey, basketball, martial arts, or really any sport need to use a youth sports mouthguard.

A professionally fitted mouthguard for teeth protection is the best for your child. It is better than generic store-bought mouth guards because it allows your child to breathe easily, talk easily, and focus on the sport, not on their discomfort or pain.

Choosing the Right Mouth Guard for Your Child

When choosing a kid's mouth guard, comfort, fit, and safety come first. Here are your main options:

Stock Mouth Guards

Pre-formed and ready to wear, these are the least customizable and often uncomfortable. They may be suitable for occasional use but are not ideal for regular wear.

Boil-and-Bite Mouth Guards

These are available over the counter and can be molded at home using hot water. While affordable, they often provide a one-size-fits-most solution and may not offer the best fit.

Custom-Fit Mouthguards

Here is where Smilepath really shines. We create children's mouthguards that are crafted from dental impressions for a precise fit. It is such an easy, fast, and low-stress process to send oral impressions using Smilepath's at-home impression kit , which means you won't have to deal with dental appointments.

When Should Your Child Wear a Mouth Guard?

  • During sports and recreational activities (especially contact sports)
  • While riding bikes, skateboards, or scooters
  • At night, if your child shows signs of bruxism (teeth grinding)
  • If your child has dental braces and plays sports

Wearing a mouth guard becomes even more important if your child is undergoing orthodontic treatment. Protecting their smile now can save you thousands in dental repairs later.

Why Smilepath Is the Trusted Name for Kids’ Mouth Guards

 A yellow, pink, green, and red mouth guard on a white background
Smilepath Mouth Guards

At Smilepath, we’re not just about straight teeth, we’re about healthy, protected smiles! We know dental care for kids can be stressful for parents - that’s why we’ve made it simple and affordable to get your kiddo the mouth guard they deserve.

  • Simple home impression kit delivered to your door
  • Professional customisation
  • Made from soft, safe and BPA-free materials

Investing in a Smilepath mouth guard for the protection of your child is not just all about preventing injuries, but about protecting your child's confidence, comfort, and smile for the years to come.

The Importance of Kids' Mouth Guards Explained

Although a kid's mouth guard is a small purchase, it serves a very big purpose. If you have an active child, a mouth guard will protect their teeth from sports injuries, as well as nighttime teeth grinding. It is a must-have item. Smilepath helps you select a mouth guard that is safe, effective, and professionally approved.

Protect their teeth now to protect their smile for the future—with Smilepath!

FAQs

At what age should kids start using a mouth guard?

Children as young as 6 can start using a mouth guard, especially if they play contact sports.

How do I know if my child needs a mouth guard for sports?

If your child plays any sport with physical contact, like football, hockey, basketball, or martial arts, a youth sports mouth guard is strongly recommended for protection.

Can kids wear a mouth guard with braces?

Yes, but they need a specially designed children’s mouth guard that fits comfortably over braces to prevent injury to the lips and gums.

Why choose a custom mouth guard over store-bought ones?

Custom guards offer a better fit, more comfort, and superior protection compared to generic boil-and-bite or stock guards.

Citations:

Professional, C. C. M. (2025t, June 30). Mouth guard. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10910-mouthguards

Colgate. (2020, December 15). What are sports mouth guards? Colgate PH. https://www.colgate.com/en-ph/oral-health/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/what-are-sports-mouth-guards

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