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Port Dover Family Dentistry
Children’s Sports Mouthguards in Pine Grove
A well-fitted mouthguard helps protect young athletes’ teeth. Pine Grove parents can learn about custom and store-bought options and fitting as children grow.
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Caring for Pine Grove patients at our Port Dover office
Browse every dental service for Pine GroveProtection for play
A mouthguard that fits well is one your child will actually wear.
Falls, collisions and stray balls can chip or knock out teeth, cut lips and injure the jaw. A mouthguard cushions the teeth and soft tissues, lowering the chance of serious damage. It is useful not only for hockey and football but for any activity where contact or falls are likely, from soccer to skateboarding.
Children from Pine Grove can be fitted for a custom guard at our Port Dover office. The team will look at how your child’s teeth are developing, since growth and new teeth affect how long any guard will fit.
Why it matters
Dental injuries are much easier to prevent than repair.
The injuries a guard helps prevent
A blow to the mouth can crack or break teeth, push them out of position or knock them out entirely. Lips, cheeks and tongue can be cut against the teeth. Repairs to permanent teeth may involve long-term follow-up. A mouthguard spreads the force of an impact and adds a layer of protection that is simple to use.
Activities to consider
Contact and collision sports are the obvious cases, but basketball, baseball, martial arts, gymnastics, cycling and skating all carry risk too. If your child plays several sports, one guard may serve them all. Check whether a league requires a particular type or colour so the guard you choose meets the rules.
Choosing a type
Compare the options with fit and comfort in mind.
Custom-made guards
A custom guard is made from an impression or scan of your child’s teeth. It tends to fit closely, stay in place and allow easier breathing and speaking, which makes children more likely to keep it in. The dentist can also account for braces, loose baby teeth or teeth still coming in when planning the design.
Store-bought guards
Ready-made and boil-and-bite guards are widely available and better than no guard at all. They may feel bulkier or loosen during play, and some children chew them or take them out. If you choose this route, bring it to a checkup so the dentist can comment on fit and whether it covers the teeth properly.
The fitting
Making a custom guard is quick and painless.
Taking the impression
At the first appointment, the dentist checks your child’s teeth and takes an impression or digital scan. This usually takes only a few minutes. Mention which sports your child plays and how often, since the activity can influence thickness and design. Let the team know about braces or upcoming orthodontic work.
Trying it on
When the guard is ready, your child will try it in so the fit can be checked. It should feel snug without pressing on the gums, and your child should be able to close comfortably and speak a little. The team will show how to insert, remove and clean it before you leave.
Care and replacement
Look after the guard and check the fit as your child grows.
Cleaning and storage
Rinse the guard after each use, brush it gently and let it dry in a ventilated case. Keep it out of hot cars and away from pets, which often chew them. Avoid sharing guards between children. A clean, intact guard is more comfortable and more likely to be worn at every practice and game.
When a new guard is needed
Children’s mouths change as baby teeth fall out and adult teeth arrive. A guard that once fit can become loose or tight. Bring it to checkups, and arrange a refit if it no longer stays in place, shows cracks or holes, or your child starts orthodontic treatment. Chewed edges are another sign it is time.
Planning your appointment
Arranging a fitting from Pine Grove
Call our Port Dover office to book a mouthguard fitting. If the sports season is starting soon, mention the date so the team can explain the steps involved and plan the appointments.
Bring any guard your child currently uses and details of the sports they play. Mention braces, loose teeth or any recent mouth injuries.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Mouthguard questions from parents
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
At what age should my child start wearing a mouthguard?
Whenever they begin an activity with a risk of falls or contact. Even young children with baby teeth can benefit. The dentist can advise on the type of guard best suited to your child’s age and stage of tooth development.
Can my child wear a guard with braces?
Yes, and protection is especially important with braces because brackets can cut the lips. The guard design may need to allow for tooth movement. Ask the dentist or orthodontist which option works with the current treatment.
How often will a child need a new guard?
It varies with growth. Many children need a new guard as teeth change, sometimes each season or year. Bring the guard to checkups so the fit can be reviewed and replaced when it no longer protects properly.
My child says the guard makes it hard to breathe. What can we do?
A bulky or poorly fitting guard can feel that way. A custom guard is often thinner and more comfortable. Let the dentist know about the complaint so the fit and design can be reviewed.
What should we do if a tooth is knocked out during play?
For a permanent tooth, handle it by the crown, keep it moist in milk or saliva and contact a dentist immediately. Do not replant a baby tooth. Seek emergency care for head injuries or uncontrolled bleeding.
More protection for active children
Children’s Dentistry →Sports Guards →
A custom sports guard helps protect teeth, lips and jaws during play. Pine Grove athletes of all ages can learn about fit, comfort, care and replacement.
Emergency Dental Care for Children →
A child’s toothache, swelling or injury can be frightening. Pine Grove parents can learn what to do first, when to go to emergency and when to call us.