Custom Athletic Mouthguards for Children and Teens in Apex
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Custom mouthguards help protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and other oral structures during sports and recreational activities. Because children and teens continue to grow and may be undergoing orthodontic treatment, fit and coverage must be evaluated regularly. Dr. Michael Kim designs custom mouthguards around each athlete’s teeth, bite, dental development, and appliance needs.
What Are Custom Mouthguards?
Personalized Sports Mouthguards for Young Athletes in Apex
A custom mouthguard is a protective appliance created from a detailed model or digital scan of the athlete’s teeth. It is designed to cushion impacts and help reduce the incidence and severity of dental and soft-tissue injuries during activities involving contact, collisions, falls, or fast-moving equipment.
Unlike stock mouthguards, a custom appliance is created for the individual patient. Dr. Kim can account for tooth position, bite relationships, dental development, and orthodontic appliances when planning its design. A secure fit helps the mouthguard remain in place while the athlete breathes, communicates, and participates.
Benefits of Custom Mouthguards in Apex
Protection for Teeth and Oral Tissues
A mouthguard creates a protective barrier around the teeth and can help reduce the risk of broken, displaced, or knocked-out teeth. It may also help protect the lips and cheeks from cuts caused by direct contact with the teeth.
A More Secure and Comfortable Fit
Custom mouthguards are designed around the athlete’s dental anatomy. A stable fit can make the appliance easier to wear without requiring the athlete to repeatedly bite down or adjust it during activity.
Support During Dental Development
Children and teens experience changes in tooth position and jaw growth. Custom mouthguards can be evaluated and replaced as needed to maintain appropriate fit, coverage, and protection throughout development and orthodontic care.
Did You Know…
Approximately one-third of dental injuries are associated with sports, and research has found that up to 34% of reported basketball injuries may involve the orofacial area. Mouthguards can benefit athletes participating in many activities, including sports that are not traditionally classified as full-contact.
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Why Choose Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics?
Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides custom mouthguards designed around the needs of growing athletes. Dr. Michael Kim evaluates each patient’s teeth, bite, dental development, and orthodontic appliances to create an appropriate protective design.
The Custom Mouthguard Process
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Step 1: Dental and Sports Evaluation
Dr. Kim examines the patient’s teeth, bite, dental development, and existing appliances. The type of sport, level of contact, playing frequency, and position may also be considered when planning the mouthguard.
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Step 2: Digital Scan or Dental Impression
A detailed model of the teeth is created using a digital scan or dental impression. This information is used to produce a mouthguard shaped around the patient’s individual dental anatomy.
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Step 3: Fitting and Care Instructions
The completed mouthguard is checked for fit, stability, coverage, and comfort. The patient and parent receive instructions for proper use, cleaning, storage, inspection, and replacement.
“A mouthguard can only provide protection when it fits properly and is worn consistently. Children and teens require special consideration because their teeth and jaws continue to change, particularly during orthodontic treatment. We design each mouthguard around the athlete’s current needs and monitor the fit as development or tooth movement continues.”
Dr. Michael Kim
Read Verified Reviews From Apex Parents
“My kids have been going to this practice since they were toddlers, and having one doctor who understands their complete dental history and growth patterns has made such a difference. Dr. Kim treats them like they’re his own children and recommends only what’s truly necessary. The convenience of having both their regular checkups and orthodontics in one place has been a game-changer for our family.”
“What impressed me most was how honest the doctor is about treatment recommendations. He explained exactly why each step was needed and never pushed unnecessary procedures. Having someone I trust completely managing both my kids’ dental and orthodontic care gives me peace of mind. The staff is incredibly kind and patient with nervous children.”
“We switched practices specifically because we wanted someone who could handle both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof. The continuity of care is amazing, and our kids actually look forward to their appointments. The whole team treats every patient like family, and the clinical expertise is evident in every interaction.”
Mouthguard Protection and Sports-Related Dental Injury Data
EVA Mouthguard Impact Energy Absorption
77.8%
Titanium-Reinforced EVA Mouthguard Impact Energy Absorption
75.9%
Coaches Reporting Orofacial Injuries Among Their Athletes
72%
Basketball Injuries Involving the Orofacial Area – Up to
34%
Dental Injuries Associated With Sports – Approximately
33%
People Ages 6 to 50 With Anterior Tooth Trauma
25%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
50%
100%
| Mouthguard and Injury Finding | Verified Percentage | What the Data Shows |
|---|---|---|
| EVA Mouthguard Impact Absorption | 77.8% of impact energy | Laboratory testing found that a four-layer EVA mouthguard absorbed 77.8% of the total impact energy delivered to a simulated jaw model. |
| Titanium-Reinforced Mouthguard Impact Absorption | 75.9% of impact energy | A titanium-reinforced EVA mouthguard absorbed 75.9% of the total impact energy in the same laboratory testing model. |
| Orofacial Injuries Reported by Coaches | 72% of surveyed coaches | Approximately 72% of surveyed high school coaches reported that athletes on their teams had experienced orofacial injuries. |
| Orofacial Injuries in Basketball | Up to 34% of reported injuries | A JADA review reported that orofacial injuries represented as much as 34% of injuries in the evaluated basketball studies. |
| Sports-Related Dental Injuries | Approximately 33% of dental injuries | CDC research estimated that approximately one-third of dental injuries are associated with sports. |
| Anterior Tooth Trauma | 25% of people ages 6 to 50 | A federal oral health report stated that 25% of people ages six to 50 had experienced an injury involving at least one front tooth. |
Sources: Kataoka et al., “Impact Absorption and Force Dissipation of Protective Mouthguards,” Journal of the American Dental Association, 2014; Berg et al., “Knowledge and Attitudes of Arizona High-School Coaches Regarding Oral-Facial Injuries and Mouthguard Use,” Journal of the American Dental Association, 1998; ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, “Using Mouthguards to Reduce Sports-Related Oral Injuries,” Journal of the American Dental Association; CDC, “Promoting Oral Health and Preventing Sports-Related Craniofacial Injuries”; CDC, “Healthy People 2010 Oral Health Toolkit”
Laboratory impact-absorption findings do not directly predict the amount of protection an individual athlete will receive. Mouthguards cannot prevent every dental, facial, jaw, or head injury. Protection depends on appliance design, fit, condition, consistent use, and the nature of the impact.
Key Findings
Fit Affects Consistent Use
A mouthguard that remains securely in place can be easier for an athlete to wear, breathe with, and communicate through during practices and competition.
Protection Extends Beyond Contact Sports
Basketball, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, skating, martial arts, cycling, and similar activities can expose athletes to falls, collisions, or equipment-related impacts.
Growing Athletes Need Reassessment
Tooth eruption and jaw growth can change the fit of a mouthguard even when the appliance does not appear visibly damaged.
Orthodontic Treatment Requires a Different Design
A mouthguard worn with braces must provide room for brackets, wires, and planned tooth movement while protecting the lips and cheeks from contact with the appliance.
Routine Inspection Is Important
A mouthguard should be checked for tears, thinning, rough edges, distortion, or changes in fit that could reduce comfort or protection.
A Mouthguard Has Defined Limitations
Mouthguards help protect the teeth and oral tissues, but they cannot eliminate the risk of all dental injuries or replace other sport-specific protective equipment.
Protect Your Young Athlete’s Teeth
Schedule a custom mouthguard evaluation at Green Level Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Apex. Dr. Michael Kim will assess your child’s teeth, bite, dental development, sport, and orthodontic needs before creating a personalized appliance designed for secure and comfortable protection.
Questions Apex Parents Ask About Mouthguards
Which sports should children wear a mouthguard for?
Mouthguards are important for contact and collision sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse, boxing, martial arts, and wrestling. They may also be beneficial for basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, gymnastics, skating, cycling, and other activities involving falls, facial contact, or fast-moving equipment.
What is the difference between a custom and store-bought mouthguard?
A custom mouthguard is created from a model or digital scan of the patient’s teeth, allowing its fit, coverage, and thickness to be planned individually. Stock and boil-and-bite guards use standardized shapes that may feel bulky or fit less securely.
Can a child wear a mouthguard with braces?
Yes, but the mouthguard must be designed to accommodate brackets, wires, and ongoing tooth movement. A standard tightly fitted mouthguard may become uncomfortable or interfere with treatment as the teeth shift. Dr. Kim can evaluate the patient’s appliances and recommend an appropriate design.
How often should a child’s mouthguard be replaced?
Growing children and patients receiving orthodontic care may need replacements more frequently because their teeth and jaws are changing. The mouthguard should be evaluated at least each sports season and replaced sooner if it becomes damaged, distorted, uncomfortable, or loose.
How should a mouthguard be cleaned and stored?
The mouthguard should be rinsed with cool water after every use and cleaned according to the instructions provided by the practice. It should dry before being stored in a clean, ventilated case. Hot water, direct sunlight, and other heat sources should be avoided because they can distort the material.
Can a mouthguard prevent a concussion?
Mouthguards are recommended for protecting the teeth and oral tissues. Current evidence does not support promising that a mouthguard will prevent a concussion. Athletes should use all required protective equipment and follow the safety rules established for their sport.