Yes, kids should wear a mouthguard for any sport where they might fall, collide or get hit by a ball, stick or another player. That includes hockey, football, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, martial arts, skateboarding and even trampoline. Sports injuries to the teeth are common in children, and a well-fitting mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to prevent them, which is why pediatric dentistry teams recommend one for every active child.
Many parents think mouthguards are only for hockey or football. Basketball and soccer actually cause plenty of dental injuries too.
A knocked-out or broken front tooth is stressful, painful and often expensive to fix over a lifetime. If it does happen, getting your child to an emergency dentist quickly makes a huge difference to whether the tooth can be saved.
Custom mouthguards fit best and are usually the most comfortable for kids. They’re made from a quick impression or scan as part of regular family dentistry visits, and they’re remade as your child grows.
Even with a guard, a hard hit can injure the nerve inside a tooth, and some teeth later need root canal treatment. A quick check after any blow to the mouth is a smart habit. Parents looking for a dentist who sees lots of young athletes can ask about guards at the next checkup.
Why are mouthguards important for kids?
Children’s front teeth are especially vulnerable. They’re often slightly forward, kids fall a lot, and adult teeth that have just come in have large nerves and thinner roots that are still developing.
A mouthguard spreads the force of a hit across the teeth and jaw. It also cushions the lips, cheeks and tongue from cuts, and may lower the risk of jaw fractures.
Which sports need a mouthguard?
| Risk level | Sports and activities |
|---|---|
| High | Hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby, boxing, martial arts, wrestling |
| Moderate | Basketball, soccer, baseball and softball, volleyball, water polo |
| Fall risk | Skateboarding, BMX, inline skating, gymnastics, trampoline, skiing and snowboarding |
| Lower, but still worth it | Any sport where your child has had a previous dental injury |
What types of mouthguards are there?
| Type | Fit | Protection | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom-fitted | Made from your child’s teeth | Best | Best, easier to talk and breathe |
| Boil-and-bite | Softened in hot water, then bitten into | Moderate | Okay if fitted well |
| Stock (ready-made) | One size | Lowest | Often bulky and loose |
Kids are far more likely to keep wearing a guard that feels comfortable. A loose, bulky guard often ends up in a gym bag instead of their mouth.
Do kids with braces need a special mouthguard?
Yes. Brackets and wires can cut the lips and cheeks during a hit. Orthodontic mouthguards are designed to fit over braces and leave room for teeth to move. Ask your dentist or orthodontist for one, since boil-and-bite guards can lock onto brackets.
How do you get a custom mouthguard?
- Checkup. The dentist confirms teeth and gums are healthy.
- Impression or scan. A quick, painless mould or digital scan of the upper teeth.
- Choose colours. Kids often like picking team colours, which helps them want to wear it.
- Fitting. The guard is tried in and adjusted for comfort.
- Care instructions. Cleaning, storage and when to replace it.
How often should a child’s mouthguard be replaced?
Children’s mouths change quickly. Replace the guard when:
- Baby teeth are lost or new adult teeth come in
- It feels loose or tight
- It has holes, tears or bite-throughs
- It’s been about a season or a year of regular use
- Your child starts or finishes braces
How do you clean and store a mouthguard?
- Rinse it in cool water before and after each use.
- Brush it gently with a soft toothbrush and mild soap.
- Let it air dry fully.
- Store it in a ventilated case, never loose in a bag.
- Keep it out of hot cars and direct sunlight, which can warp it.
- Never share mouthguards.
- Bring it to dental checkups so the fit can be checked.
What should you do if your child knocks out a tooth?
Speed matters most with a knocked-out adult tooth. Aim to see a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes.
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline. Don’t scrub it.
- Try to place it back in the socket and have your child gently bite on a cloth.
- If that’s not possible, store it in cold milk or your child’s own saliva.
- Get to a dentist immediately.
Myths about kids’ mouthguards
“Mouthguards are only for contact sports.”
Falls cause many dental injuries. Skateboarding, trampoline and basketball all carry real risk.
“My child’s baby teeth don’t need protecting.”
Injuries to baby teeth can damage the adult teeth forming beneath them.
“Mouthguards make it hard to breathe.”
Custom guards are thin where they need to be, so most kids breathe and talk comfortably.
“Getting a mouthguard made is uncomfortable.”
Impressions and scans are quick and painless. Many kids find the visit fun, especially when they get to choose their colours.
Real-world examples
Basketball elbow: A 10-year-old without a guard chipped a new adult front tooth. Bonding repaired it, and she now wears a guard for every game.
Skateboard fall: A 9-year-old’s knocked-out front tooth was put back in by a parent at the park and splinted the same afternoon. Quick action helped save it.
Common mistakes parents make
- Buying a stock guard that doesn’t stay in
- Only using a guard for games, not practices
- Not replacing the guard as teeth change
- Storing it wet in a closed bag
- Skipping a dental check after a blow to the mouth because nothing looked broken
What are the most common sports dental injuries in kids?
| Injury | What it looks like | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chipped tooth | A small piece missing from the edge | Save the piece, see a dentist within a day |
| Fractured tooth | A larger break, sometimes with pink or red showing | Same-day dental visit |
| Loosened tooth | Tooth moves or sits at an angle | Same-day visit, avoid biting on it |
| Pushed-in tooth | Tooth looks shorter or driven into the gum | Urgent dental care |
| Knocked-out tooth | Tooth completely out of the socket | Replant if it’s an adult tooth and see a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes |
| Lip, cheek or tongue cut | Bleeding cut inside the mouth | Firm pressure with gauze, medical care if deep |
Why should you see a dentist even if a tooth looks fine?
A hit can bruise the nerve inside a tooth without any visible damage. Over the following weeks or months, the tooth may darken, become sensitive or develop an infection. Young adult teeth with developing roots are especially at risk.
A quick exam and x-ray after an injury gives the dentist a baseline. Follow-up checks can catch nerve problems early, when treatment options are simpler.
How do you get kids to actually wear their mouthguard?
- Let them pick the colour or add their team logo
- Choose a custom guard so it’s comfortable and doesn’t fall out
- Make it part of the gear check, along with shin pads or a helmet
- Ask coaches to require guards at practice as well as games
- Wear one yourself if you play sports, kids copy what they see
- Keep a spare guard in the car
Do adults need sports mouthguards too?
Yes. Adult recreational hockey, basketball and martial arts all carry the same risks. Adults with crowns, veneers, implants or bridges have even more reason to protect them, since repairs can be involved. A custom guard can be made to fit over existing dental work.
Mouthguard or night guard: what’s the difference?
A sports mouthguard is thicker and softer, designed to absorb impact. A night guard is usually thinner and harder, designed to protect teeth from grinding while sleeping. They’re not interchangeable, so children who grind and play sports may need both.
What should be in your sports first-aid kit for teeth?
- A small container with a lid, for saving a tooth or broken piece
- A small carton of milk or saline solution
- Clean gauze
- Gloves
- A cold pack
- Your dentist’s phone number saved in your phone
Having these ready means you can act in the first few minutes, which is when it matters most.
Questions to ask your child’s dentist
- Which type of mouthguard fits my child’s sport and age?
- How often should we replace it as teeth change?
- Does my child need an orthodontic guard for braces?
- What should we do if a tooth is chipped or knocked out?
- Should my child have a check after any blow to the mouth?
Many families book a mouthguard fitting at the start of each sports season. It’s an easy routine to remember, and it means the guard always fits your child’s current teeth, especially during the years when baby teeth are falling out and adult teeth are arriving. A quick fit check at regular checkups also helps catch wear before it becomes a problem.
Coaches and team managers can help too. Teams that make mouthguards part of the standard gear list tend to see far fewer dental injuries over a season.
Kids’ mouthguards at Hummingbird Dental
Hummingbird Dental is one of the best and most trusted choices for a family dentist in Richmond Hill, and it won the Top Choice Award for Richmond Hill Dentist in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
New patients and CDCP patients are welcome, and the team speaks English, Persian, Russian, Portuguese, Hindi and Urdu. The clinic is open 6 days a week, including Saturdays, with extended weekday evening hours that fit around sports schedules, and same-day emergency appointments are available for injuries.
Visit 10376 Yonge St #202, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B8, call +1 647-370-2024 or email info@hummingbirddental.ca to book a mouthguard fitting.
Children’s care is provided by licensed dentists registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).
Frequently asked questions
What age should kids start wearing a mouthguard?
Kids can start wearing a mouthguard as soon as they play organized sports or activities with falls or contact, often around age 6 or 7. Some younger children benefit too.
Are custom mouthguards better than store-bought ones?
Yes. Custom guards fit more closely, protect better and are more comfortable, so kids are more likely to keep wearing them.
Can kids wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, and they should. Orthodontic mouthguards fit over brackets and protect the lips and cheeks from cuts during impacts.
How often should a child’s mouthguard be replaced?
Replace it when teeth change, it no longer fits, it’s damaged or after about a season to a year of regular use.
What should I do if my child chips a tooth playing sports?
Rinse the mouth, save any pieces in milk or water and call a dentist the same day. For a knocked-out adult tooth, see a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes.
Conclusion
A mouthguard is one of the easiest ways to protect your child’s teeth during sports and active play.
Custom-fitted guards offer the best protection and comfort and should be replaced as teeth change.
If an injury happens, quick action and a prompt dental visit give the tooth the best chance.
