Spotlight on Safety: The Importance of Mouthguards in Youth Sports

🛡️ Keep Their Smile Safe—One Game at a Time

Whether it’s football, soccer, or even gymnastics, youth sports are a big part of childhood. But alongside the trophies and team spirit comes the risk of dental injuries. At Alamo Ranch Children's Dentistry, we believe safety should always be part of the game plan—which is why we strongly recommend custom mouthguards for every child involved in contact or high-impact sports.

⚠️ What Can Happen Without a Mouthguard?

Dental trauma is more common than many parents realize. A hard fall or elbow to the mouth can result in:

Broken or chipped teeth
Lip and cheek lacerations
Knocked-out permanent teeth
Jaw injuries

Without protection, a single incident can lead to long-term dental work, orthodontic treatment, or even facial development issues.

🦷 Why Custom Mouthguards Are Better

While store-bought options are easy to find, they don’t offer the same level of fit, comfort, or protection. At Alamo Ranch Children’s Dentistry, we provide professionally fitted, custom mouthguards that:

Are molded to your child’s exact bite
Stay in place during active play
Allow for clear speech and easier breathing
Offer enhanced shock absorption

These features make custom guards ideal for sports like basketball, wrestling, skating, and more.

🧒 When Should Your Child Start Wearing One?

As soon as your child begins any organized physical activity, especially one with player-to-player contact, a mouthguard should be part of their gear. This includes:

Pee-wee and youth leagues
Martial arts and cheerleading
Skateboarding and BMX riding

Even if your child doesn’t have all their permanent teeth yet, we can design a guard to fit their current dentition—and adjust as they grow.

😁 A Smart Investment in Their Future Smile

Prevention is always better than restoration. Compared to the cost and time of dental emergencies, a mouthguard is a simple and affordable solution. Plus, regular use helps build smart habits that promote lifelong oral health.

Many families at our practice bundle mouthguard fittings with their routine cleanings and exams, making it easier than ever to keep their child protected and healthy year-round.

🧾 Does Insurance Cover Mouthguards?

Some dental plans do include partial coverage for custom athletic mouthguards. We encourage you to check your benefits or speak with our team during your next visit. We’ll walk you through payment and insurance options to help make care accessible.

📍 Local Care, Trusted Experts

Our San Antonio pediatric dental team is passionate about combining fun, education, and top-quality care in every visit. We serve children from all over the Alamo Ranch community and nearby areas—building confident, cavity-free smiles one game at a time.

If your child is gearing up for the season, let’s make sure their smile is protected. A mouthguard might just be the MVP of their gear bag.

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