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Kids will be kids…and that means they’re active, always on the go and prone to accidents as well. Mouthguards can help protect your child from a dental emergency and should be worn whenever your child is participating in sports and recreational activities.

At the office of Visalia, our professional team is committed to pediatric oral health, and wants to play an active role helping your child protect and maintain a healthy set of teeth at every developmental stage.

Mouthguards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. They also protect the soft tissues of the tongue, lips and cheek lining. For these reasons, mouthguards are an essential piece of athletic gear. After a consultation at our office, our experienced and friendly dental professionals recommend the type of mouthguard that’s best for your child. There are three general types:

• Custom-fitted: Custom made for your child’s mouth by our office to ensure the best possible fit.
• Stock: A more affordable option than custom-fitted, stock mouthguards are pre-formed, ready to wear, but often don’t offer the same fit and level of comfort as a custom mouthguard.
• Boil and bite: These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores. They are first softened in boiling water, then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth.

We recommend mouthguards that are custom made in order to give your child the best level of protection against teeth injury. A properly fitted mouthguard is especially important for children who wear braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances and increase the risk of soft tissue injuries.

Committed to your child’s oral health:

At the office of Visalia, we offer the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care for your child’s dental needs. For more information about the services we provide, give us a call today.