Direct Answer: Yes. Any child playing a sport with a risk of contact, falls, or flying equipment should wear a mouthguard. The American Dental Association reports that athletes without mouthguards have more than twice the risk of orofacial injury. A properly fitted guard protects teeth, lips, and jaw. Helena families can reach Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (406) 449-0189.
Why This Matters for Helena Families
Sports are part of growing up in Montana, from youth hockey and basketball to soccer, wrestling, skiing, and skateboarding around Helena, East Helena, and Montana City. With that activity comes a real risk to the teeth. A meta-analysis cited by the American Dental Association found that dentofacial injuries affected about 27.6% of collision-sport participants, and a 2019 systematic review found that athletes who skip mouthguards have more than twice the risk of an orofacial injury compared with those who wear them.
A knocked-out or fractured permanent tooth is not a minor event. It can mean emergency care, lifelong restorations, and significant cost. The ADA has promoted mouthguards for more than 50 years and recommends them for any activity that carries a risk of dental injury, not only the few sports that mandate them (Source: ADA). For Helena parents, the takeaway is simple: a mouthguard is inexpensive insurance against an expensive, painful injury.
When Does a Child Need a Mouthguard?
Direct answer: A child needs a mouthguard for any sport with contact, collisions, falls, or hard equipment, and especially if they wear braces.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends mouth protection across a wide range of youth sports, not just the ones that require it by rule (Source: AAPD). Consider a guard for:
- High-contact sports: football, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, martial arts
- Collision and fall risk: basketball, soccer, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding
- Stick and ball sports: field hockey, baseball, softball
- Any activity where a child wears braces, because hardware can cut the lips and cheeks on impact
Many leagues only mandate guards for a handful of sports, yet injuries happen regularly in “non-contact” activities like basketball and skating too. The safer rule is to protect the teeth whenever a fall or collision is possible.
What Are the Types of Mouthguards?
Direct answer: The three types are custom-fitted guards made by a dentist, boil-and-bite guards from a store, and stock guards that come pre-formed. Custom guards offer the best fit and protection.
| Type | How it fits | Protection and comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom-fitted (dentist-made) | Molded to your child’s teeth | Best fit, comfort, and protection | Regular athletes, kids with braces, high-contact sports |
| Boil-and-bite | Softened in hot water, bitten to shape | Moderate, fit varies | Casual or seasonal play |
| Stock (pre-formed) | One-size, no shaping | Lowest, often bulky | Last resort only |
A custom guard from a dentist fits the contours of your child’s mouth, stays in place, allows easier breathing and speech, and is more likely to actually be worn. Compliance matters: as the ADA notes, a mouthguard only works if the child keeps it in.
Can a Child Wear a Mouthguard With Braces?
Direct answer: Yes, and it is especially important. Braces add sharp surfaces that can injure the lips and cheeks during impact, so an orthodontic patient benefits from a guard designed to fit over the brackets.
The ADA specifically endorses mouthguards for athletes in orthodontic treatment, because the guard separates the soft tissue from the hardware and helps prevent lacerations. A child with braces should use a guard made to accommodate the appliances and changing tooth positions, which usually means a dentist-fitted option rather than a rigid store-bought one. If your child is in treatment, our guide on orthodontic treatment for children covers what to expect.
How to Choose and Fit One: 5 Steps
- Match the guard to the sport. Higher-contact sports justify a custom-fitted guard.
- Prioritize fit over price. A guard that does not stay put will not protect and will not be worn.
- Account for braces and growth. Orthodontic patients and kids in mixed dentition need guards that fit changing mouths.
- Check it regularly. Replace a guard that is torn, loose, or outgrown, which happens often as children grow.
- Make it a habit. Pack the guard with the gear so it is never forgotten on game day.
Mouthguard Care Checklist
- Rinse with cool water or brush gently after each use
- Store in a ventilated case, never loose in a bag
- Keep it out of hot water, direct sun, and car dashboards, which warp it
- Inspect monthly for tears, thinning, or a loose fit
- Replace when outgrown, damaged, or at the start of a new season
- Bring it to dental visits so the fit can be checked
Myth Check
Question: Are baby teeth not worth protecting since they fall out anyway?
Answer: Protecting them still matters. A sports injury to a baby tooth can cause pain, infection, and damage to the permanent tooth developing beneath it. Early loss of a front tooth can also affect speech and spacing. More importantly, school-age athletes often already have permanent front teeth, which are the ones most commonly injured in sports.
More Questions Parents Ask
At what age should kids start wearing a mouthguard?
As soon as they play organized or rough sports, often around ages 6 to 7 when permanent front teeth begin to come in and are at risk.
Do mouthguards prevent concussions?
The evidence is mixed. Mouthguards clearly reduce dental and soft-tissue injuries, while their effect on concussion risk is still being studied (Source: ADA). They should not replace a properly fitted helmet.
How often should a mouthguard be replaced?
Whenever it is torn, loose, or outgrown, and typically each new season for growing children.
Are custom mouthguards worth the cost?
For regular athletes and kids with braces, yes. Better fit means better protection and a guard the child will actually wear.
Can my child talk and breathe with a mouthguard in?
Yes, especially with a well-fitted custom guard, which is thinner and more stable than bulky stock options.
What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out during a game?
Keep the child calm, find the tooth, handle it by the crown not the root, keep it moist (milk works well), and seek dental care immediately. See our guide on dental emergencies in children.
Key Facts
- Athletes without mouthguards have more than twice the orofacial injury risk (Source: ADA)
- Dentofacial injuries affect about 27.6% of collision-sport participants (Source: ADA)
- The ADA recommends mouthguards for any activity with dental injury risk (Source: ADA)
- The AAPD recommends mouth protection across a wide range of youth sports (Source: AAPD)
- Custom-fitted guards offer the best fit, comfort, and protection
- Children with braces need guards designed to fit over the hardware
- A mouthguard only protects if it is worn consistently
Protect Your Young Athlete in Helena
A custom-fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to prevent a painful, costly sports injury. The team at Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Helena fits guards for young athletes across Helena, East Helena, Montana City, and Clancy, including kids in braces.
Call (406) 449-0189 or request an appointment to have your child fitted before the season starts. If your child also wears braces, read about starting orthodontic treatment, and keep our dental emergencies guide handy for game day.
“This office is friendly, professional, clean, and FUN! My daughter was terrified and crying when I told her we had to go to the dentist. Afterwards, she was giggling and asking to go back.” Jessica Morrell, Helena parent
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