When preparing children for sport, most parents think carefully about helmets, knee pads, wrist guards and footwear, but one area is frequently overlooked: the teeth.
Yet dental injuries are not rare in children’s sporting activities - and often more serious than expected.
In children's activities, a knocked-out tooth, or or a fall that causes the teeth to puncture the lip or tongue, are surprisingly common. Whilst many parents think of getting mouthguards as a matter of course for their children's contact sports, other activities (such as using a bike, scooter or rollerskates) are usually overlooked.
Children and adolescents are still developing balance and coordination and falls and collisions are an inherent part of sporting activities. Even moderate impacts can generate significant force across the jaw, resulting in fractures, displacement, or soft tissue injury.
Evidence shows that without sufficient protection the risk of orofacial injury is up to seven times higher compared with those wearing mouthguards.
Injuries to developing teeth can have lasting consequences.
Damage involving the dental pulp often requires complex intervention and may disrupt normal root development. In some cases, this leads to premature tooth loss (particularly when it occurs in the front region of the mouth) affecting function, appearance and confidence.
A sports mouthguard provides a simple, effective preventive solution.
Mouthguards are recommended for children and adolescents participating in:
Ball sports (e.g. football, basketball, hockey, rugby)
Contact sports (e.g. martial arts, boxing)
High-speed or fall-risk activities (e.g. cycling, skiing, skating)
Other activities with impact potential (e.g. equestrian sports, gymnastics)
Not all mouthguards offer the same level of safety. Available options are:
Pre-sized, non-adjustable mouthguards: convenient and cheap, but poorly fitting and often unstable
Boil-and-bite options: improved, but inconsistent in fit and protection
Custom-made mouthguards: precisely fabricated for optimal fit, comfort, and effectiveness
Customisation remains the clinical gold standard for the best protection.
A Clinical Approach to Prevention
Our expert dental team at Am-Sino Healthcare make custom mouthguards that are designed to meet both medical and practical needs:
Precision fit for stability during activity
Medical-grade materials for comfort, breathability, and clear speech
Personalised design to encourage consistent use
Prevention Is Always Preferable
Dental trauma is often sudden, but its consequences can be long-term.
In the same way helmets protect the head, mouthguards should be considered essential equipment- not optional extras since this simple preventive measure today can help avoid complex treatment tomorrow.
Wechat Enquiries
& Appointments
Dental Team
(Click the image to see more doctor profiles.)
Book Your Appointment Now
Wechat Enquire
& Appointment
