Playing on a sports team is a staple of any childhood, from little league baseball to college football. Regardless of the sport, athletes benefit from wearing the proper protection, including shin guards, shoulder pads, helmets, cleats, and mouth guards. While most sports emphasize the gear a child needs for each game, mouth guards are often overlooked or treated as optional. Yet a properly fitted mouth guard can be the single piece of equipment that saves a child's teeth from a serious, painful, and costly injury. At Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale, CA, Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan create custom-fitted mouth guards that protect young athletes far better than anything you can buy off the shelf.
Dental injuries are among the most common injuries in youth and amateur sports, and the consequences can follow a child for life. A knocked-out or fractured permanent tooth is not just a momentary setback; it can require years of dental treatment. A custom mouth guard is a small investment that delivers outsized protection, comfort, and peace of mind for the whole family.
Why Mouth Guards Matter
A mouth guard is a protective device worn over the teeth that cushions and absorbs the force of impacts to the face and jaw. When an elbow, ball, helmet, or fall sends force toward the mouth, the guard spreads that force across a wider area and softens the blow, dramatically reducing the chance of chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Mouth guards also help protect the lips, cheeks, and tongue from being cut against the teeth, and they can reduce the risk of jaw injuries. Importantly, a well-fitted guard may even help lessen the force transmitted to the jaw during certain impacts, offering protection that goes beyond the teeth alone.
Why Do People Wear Mouth Guards?
Athletes wear mouth guards primarily to prevent injuries to their teeth and mouth during contact and collision sports. But mouth guards are valuable in a surprising range of activities. Any sport with a risk of falls, flying objects, or physical contact, including basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, martial arts, skateboarding, and gymnastics, carries a risk of dental injury. Many parents are surprised to learn how many non-contact sports still account for a significant number of broken and lost teeth. If your child plays a sport with any chance of impact, a mouth guard is a wise precaution.
Types of Mouth Guards
Not all mouth guards offer the same level of protection. There are generally three categories, and understanding the differences helps explain why a custom guard is so valuable:
- Stock mouth guards: Pre-formed and ready to wear, these are the least expensive but offer the poorest fit and protection. They are bulky, can make breathing and talking difficult, and often will not stay in place.
- Boil-and-bite mouth guards: Made from a material that softens in hot water and is then bitten into for a rough fit, these are a step up from stock guards but still fall short of a precise, reliable fit.
- Custom-fitted mouth guards: Made by your dentist from an exact mold of your child's teeth, these offer the best fit, comfort, and protection. They stay securely in place, allow for easy breathing and speaking, and are built from durable, completely safe material.
Risks of Store-Bought Mouth Guards
While many parents will invest in a store-bought mouth guard, they may not realize the risk. A store-bought guard will not be a perfect fit for the child's teeth. Because of this improper fit, a child faces a greater risk of damaging his or her teeth during the sport or game, and the guard may shift or fall out at exactly the wrong moment. A guard that does not stay in place cannot protect the teeth, and a bulky, uncomfortable guard is one a child is tempted to remove or chew on rather than wear properly.
A professional, custom-made mouth guard solves all of these problems. Several reasons a professional mouth guard is far better than a store-bought brand include:
- Less chance of the mouth guard falling out during play
- A comfortable, secure fit shaped to the child's teeth
- Better and more efficient protection for the teeth
- Made with a more durable yet still completely harmless material
- Easier breathing and clearer speaking, so the child actually keeps it in
The Custom Mouth Guard Process
The process for getting a custom mouth guard is harmless and usually takes no more than two appointments. During the first visit, we take a mold of the child's mouth, along with images as needed. We then send these measurements and the mold to a dental lab, where a technician custom-makes the mouth guard to fit your child's teeth precisely. When the guard is ready, your child returns to our office, where we check the fit and make any adjustments needed for comfort and security. After this appointment, your child has the reliable protection needed to help keep their teeth safe during practices and games.
The process is easy and comfortable from start to finish. There are no needles, no drilling, and nothing uncomfortable; we simply take a mold and fit the finished guard. Most children find the whole experience quick and stress-free, and our gentle, family-friendly approach helps even nervous young athletes feel at ease.
Caring for a Mouth Guard
A custom mouth guard is an investment worth protecting, and good care keeps it effective and hygienic. We recommend a few simple habits:
- Rinse the guard with cool water before and after each use, and brush it gently
- Store it in a sturdy, ventilated case to keep it clean and prevent warping
- Keep it away from hot water, direct sun, and hot car interiors, which can distort the fit
- Bring it to dental checkups so we can inspect it for wear
- Replace it as your child grows or if it becomes damaged, since a worn guard offers less protection
Do Adults and Non-Athletes Need Mouth Guards Too?
Mouth guards are not just for kids. Adult recreational athletes benefit from the same protection, and a custom guard makes weekend sports safer at any age. There is also another type of guard worth knowing about: a night guard. Many people grind or clench their teeth during sleep, a condition called bruxism, which can wear down enamel, cause jaw pain and headaches, and crack teeth over time. A custom night guard cushions the teeth and protects them from this damage. If you wake with a sore jaw or notice worn or sensitive teeth, ask us whether a night guard is right for you.
What Should I Do If a Tooth Is Chipped or Knocked Out?
Even with precautions, accidents happen. If your child chips a tooth, save any pieces if you can, rinse the mouth gently, and call us right away. If a permanent tooth is knocked out completely, time is critical: handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root, gently rinse it without scrubbing, and if possible place it back in the socket or keep it in milk while you head to the dentist immediately. The faster you act, the better the chance of saving the tooth. We offer same-day emergency appointments precisely for situations like these, so do not hesitate to call (818) 541-1110.
Protecting Young Athletes in Glendale, CA
Glendale is home to countless young athletes playing in school programs, club teams, and recreational leagues. We are proud to help local families keep their children safe on the field, court, and rink. A custom mouth guard from our office gives parents peace of mind and gives kids the confidence to play their hardest, knowing their smiles are protected.
The True Cost of an Unprotected Smile
It is easy to view a custom mouth guard as an optional extra until you consider what is at stake. A single knocked-out or fractured permanent tooth can lead to years of dental treatment and ongoing care, and the discomfort and disruption of a dental injury can sideline a young athlete and affect their confidence. By comparison, a custom mouth guard is a modest, one-time investment that protects against all of that. When you weigh the cost of a guard against the cost and stress of repairing a serious dental injury, the value of proper protection becomes clear. Prevention is almost always easier, cheaper, and kinder than treatment after the fact.
Helping Kids Get Used to Wearing a Mouth Guard
Even the best mouth guard only works if your child actually wears it, and a custom guard makes that far more likely because it is comfortable, secure, and easy to breathe and talk through. Still, a little encouragement helps a new habit stick. Have your child wear the guard during practices as well as games so it becomes a normal part of getting ready to play. Praise them for remembering it, and lead by example if you play sports yourself. Keeping the guard in a labeled case in their sports bag means it is always on hand. Within a short time, putting in the mouth guard becomes as automatic as lacing up their cleats.
When to Replace a Mouth Guard
A custom mouth guard is durable, but it does not last forever, especially for growing children whose teeth and jaws are still developing. As new teeth come in and the mouth changes, a guard that once fit perfectly can become loose and less protective. It is a good idea to bring the guard to regular dental checkups so we can assess its fit and condition. Watch for signs that it needs replacing:
- The guard feels loose or no longer fits snugly
- You can see tears, thinning, or chew marks in the material
- Your child has had significant dental changes or new teeth come in
- The guard has been exposed to heat and lost its shape
Replacing a worn guard promptly ensures your young athlete always has reliable protection on the field.
A Family-Friendly Dental Experience
For many children, a trip to the dentist can feel intimidating, which is why we work hard to make every visit calm, friendly, and positive. Getting a custom mouth guard is one of the easiest, most stress-free appointments a child can have, with no needles or drilling involved. Our gentle approach helps children feel at ease and builds the kind of comfort with dental care that serves them well for life. Parents appreciate that we take the time to explain everything and answer questions, making the whole experience smooth for the entire family.
Why Choose Infinite Dental Wellness
Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan are a USC-trained husband-and-wife team who provide gentle, welcoming care for patients of all ages. Our practice holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 300 reviews, and we are a mercury-free office offering same-day emergency care. We make every visit comfortable for children and parents alike. We accept all PPO dental insurance plans; coverage for mouth guards varies by plan, and our team is happy to help you check your benefits. Please note we do not accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal.
Schedule a Custom Mouth Guard Today
Do not leave your child's smile to chance on game day. A properly fitted custom mouth guard is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent painful and expensive sports injuries. If you are interested in getting a properly fitted mouth guard for your child, or a night guard for yourself, give us a call at (818) 541-1110 to schedule an appointment today. Protecting your family's smiles is what we do best.