Protect mouth and teeth during activities
For athletes young and old, mouth guards are an essential piece of equipment during sports events and recreational activities. Mouth guards should be worn by athletes of any age who participate in sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, rugby, skating, skateboarding, or gymnastics. If collisions and falls are inevitable in the sport your son or daughter is playing, a mouth guard should be used. A mouth guard will help prevent structural damage to the teeth and jaw, but also prevent injuries such as lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips in the event of a collision. Mouth guards can also help decrease concussions. Most sporting goods stores sell mouth guards. But be careful when purchasing a mouth guard from a sporting goods supplier or a pharmacy because generic mouth guards do not offer the best level of protection. They can also be ill-fitting and uncomfortable.