Game On: Keeping Your Teen’s Smile in the Game
Friday night lights. Weekend tournaments. After-school practices. Sports are a huge part of growing up — and for Evergreen Park families, they’re also a big source of pride. But amid all the excitement, one thing often gets overlooked: protecting your teen’s teeth.
Every year, thousands of dental injuries occur during youth sports — many of them preventable with one simple tool: a custom-fit mouthguard. At Evergreen Smiles Dental, we help young athletes stay safe and confident with personalized protection that fits comfortably and performs when it counts.
🩺 According to the American Dental Association (ADA), athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are up to 60 times more likely to experience dental injuries.
Common Sports-Related Dental Injuries
Even in non-contact sports, accidents happen fast. Some of the most frequent injuries we see include:
- Chipped or fractured teeth from balls, pucks, or accidental elbows
- Tooth loss caused by impact to the face or jaw
- Soft tissue injuries like cuts to the lips, tongue, or cheeks
- Jaw joint trauma (TMJ pain) from forceful hits
While helmets and pads protect the body, a mouthguard is the best defense for your teen’s smile.
Why Custom Mouthguards Make a Difference
You’ve probably seen boil-and-bite guards at sporting goods stores — but those one-size-fits-all versions rarely fit right or stay in place. A custom mouthguard, designed by your dentist, offers better comfort, breathability, and protection.
🦷 1. Superior Fit and Comfort
Custom mouthguards are molded to your teen’s exact teeth and bite, making them easier to talk and breathe with — so they’ll actually want to wear it.
💪 2. Maximum Protection
They cushion the teeth and jaw against sudden impact, reducing the risk of chips, fractures, and concussions.
🧼 3. Easy to Maintain
They’re simple to clean and last longer than store-bought guards, which can wear out or harbor bacteria over time.
💡 The ADA recommends custom-fit mouthguards for all contact and collision sports, including football, hockey, basketball, soccer, baseball, and even skateboarding.
Tips for Parents and Athletes
- Store mouthguards in a ventilated case and clean them regularly with mild soap and water.
- Replace them each season or sooner if they become loose or worn.
- Bring them to dental checkups — we can inspect the fit and adjust as your teen’s smile grows.
- Encourage daily brushing and flossing, especially after practices or games, to prevent plaque buildup.
Safe Smiles Start Here
From youth leagues to varsity teams, our goal is to keep every Evergreen Park athlete smiling confidently on and off the field. Custom mouthguards are a small investment that protect against costly injuries — and preserve your teen’s winning smile for years to come.
At Evergreen Smiles Dental, we’re proud to support sports dental safety for Evergreen Park families with custom-fit mouthguards and preventive care that keeps smiles strong.
👉 Learn more about Sports Mouthguards in Evergreen Park or schedule a fitting for your athlete today!
