Summer Sports and Dental Safety: Beyond the Mouthguard

Summer is peak season for youth sports, and whether your child is playing baseball, soccer, basketball, or skateboarding around the neighborhood, their smile is out there on the front lines. A sports mouthguard is one of the most important pieces of protective gear a young athlete can wear, but protecting your child’s dental health this summer goes a little further than that. At Laleh Vakili, DMD, we work with families across San Mateo to help kids stay active and keep their teeth healthy all season long.

What a Mouthguard Actually Protects

A well-fitted sports mouthguard does a lot more than cushion a hit to the mouth. It absorbs and distributes the force of an impact, helping to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, tongue, and even the jaw from injury. Research consistently shows that athletes who wear mouthguards are significantly less likely to experience sports dental injuries, including chipped or knocked-out teeth, soft tissue lacerations, and jaw fractures. For kids still in the middle of their dental development, that protection matters even more.

6 Smart Ways to Protect Your Child’s Smile This Summer

1. Use the Right Type of Mouthguard

Not all mouthguards offer the same level of protection. Stock mouthguards from big-box stores are better than nothing, but they tend to fit loosely and can interfere with breathing and speaking. A custom mouthguard made by your child’s dentist is designed to fit their exact bite, which means better protection, greater comfort, and a higher chance that your child will wear it. If your child plays any contact or collision sport, a custom mouthguard is worth the investment.

2. Replace or Refit as Kids Grow

Kids’ mouths change quickly, especially during the years when they are losing baby teeth and gaining permanent ones. A mouthguard that fit well last season may not offer the same protection this year. Plan to have your child’s mouthguard checked at their regular dental visit and replaced or refitted when it no longer fits snugly. A loose or worn-out guard is not doing its job.

3. Protect More Than Just Teeth (Helmets and Face Safety)

Mouthguards protect the inside of the mouth, but your child’s dental safety starts with head and face protection too. Make sure helmets fit correctly and are appropriate for the sport your child plays. Sports like baseball, softball, lacrosse, and hockey require additional face protection, and wearing that gear consistently makes a real difference. A knock to the jaw can affect teeth even when the mouth itself is not directly hit.

4. Skip Constant Sports Drink Sipping

It is easy to understand why sports drinks are popular on the sidelines, but most of them are high in sugar and acid, which can wear down tooth enamel over time. Frequent sipping during a game or practice gives that acid repeated contact with your child’s teeth. Water is the best choice for hydration during activity, and if sports drinks are part of the routine, encourage your child to rinse with water afterward and avoid brushing immediately after consuming acidic beverages.

5. Watch Jaw Pain and Clenching After Games

Some kids clench or grind their teeth during intense physical activity without even realizing it. If your child mentions jaw soreness, headaches, or tooth sensitivity after games or practice, it is worth bringing up at their next dental visit. These can be early signs of bruxism or TMJ strain, and catching them early makes it easier to address. A custom mouthguard can also help with this if clenching during play is a concern.

6. Schedule a Pre-Season Dental Check

One of the best things you can do before the summer sports season kicks off is to bring your child in for a dental checkup. A pre-season visit gives Dr. Vakili or Dr. Lam a chance to check for any existing issues that could be made worse by an impact, assess whether your child’s current mouthguard still fits properly, and address any concerns before the season begins. It is a simple step that sets your child up for a healthier, safer summer.

What to Do If a Dental Injury Happens at a Game

Even with the right precautions in place, sports dental injuries can still happen. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference in the outcome. If your child chips, cracks, or knocks out a tooth, stay calm and act quickly. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it if it is dirty, and try to place it back in the socket or keep it moist in milk or saliva while you get to the dentist. A pediatric dental emergency should be treated as soon as possible, so call our office right away at San Mateo Pediatric Dentist Office Phone Number 650-372-9292 and we will help guide you through the next steps.

FAQs

Do kids need mouthguards for non-contact sports?

Many parents assume mouthguards are only necessary for football or hockey, but dental injuries can happen in sports like basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and even cycling. Any activity that involves physical contact, falls, or flying equipment carries some risk of oral injury. Talking to your child’s dentist about whether a mouthguard makes sense for their specific sport is always a good idea.

Are custom mouthguards better than store-bought?

Yes, in most cases, a custom mouthguard offers meaningfully better protection than a store-bought option. Custom guards are made from an impression of your child’s teeth, so they fit precisely and stay in place during activity. They are also more comfortable, which means kids are more likely to wear them. Store-bought boil-and-bite guards are a reasonable starting point, but for kids who play regularly or in higher-risk sports, a custom mouthguard is the better choice.

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

If your child chips a tooth, try to find and save any broken pieces, keep them moist, and contact your dentist as soon as possible. Even a small chip can affect the nerve or root if left untreated, so getting an evaluation quickly is important. The team at Laleh Vakili, DMD, in San Mateo is here to help with dental emergencies and will do their best to get your child seen right away.

Can sports drinks damage teeth?

Sports drinks can contribute to tooth erosion over time because of their high sugar and acid content. The problem is not just what is in them, but how often and how long kids sip them during activity. If your child relies on sports drinks during games or practice, encouraging them to drink water between sips and rinse afterward can help reduce the impact on their enamel. A conversation about diet and dental health is something we are always happy to have on your child’s next visit.

How often should mouthguards be replaced?

A good rule of thumb is to have your child’s mouthguard evaluated at every dental checkup and to replace it whenever it shows signs of wear, no longer fits well, or your child’s bite has changed significantly. For younger kids who are still losing teeth and growing, this may mean replacing the guard more frequently than once a year. Your child’s dentist can help you determine the right timeline based on their individual development.