Fall Sports Season Alert: Why Custom Athletic Mouthguards Keep Teen Athletes Safe and Protect Jaw Health

Fall in Columbus means Friday night football, soccer tournaments, field hockey games, and busy weekends at the gym. If your teen is an active athlete, you already know the importance of helmets, pads, and the right shoes. But one piece of equipment often doesn’t get the same attention, even though it plays a critical role in protecting your child’s smile: a custom Athletic Mouthguard.

At Camelot Dental Group, we help families protect their young athletes with properly fitted sports mouthguards designed for comfort, safety, and long-term oral health. A custom fit does more than shield teeth from impact — it also reduces the strain placed on the jaw joint, helping prevent TMJ issues that can follow athletes into adulthood.

Why Mouthguards Are Essential in Contact Sports

Whether your teen plays football, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, water polo, or martial arts like boxing and Muay Thai, the risk of dental trauma is high. Studies show that players in contact sports who do not wear mouth protectors are far more likely to experience chipped teeth, dentofacial injuries, or jaw problems.

The American Dental Association stresses the importance of mouthguards in preventing injuries during youth sports and recreational activities. A properly made mouthguard cushions the teeth and soft tissues inside the lips and cheeks, helping manage bite pressure during sudden impact. This simple step can lower the risk of emergency dental visits, costly restorative care, and even mild traumatic brain injury.

Types of Mouthguards Parents See in Stores

If you’ve ever browsed the aisles of sporting goods stores, you’ve seen multiple types of mouthguards. Here’s how they compare:

Stock mouthguards: These pre-formed options are the least expensive but also the least effective. They come in a limited range of sizes, rarely stay secure, and can make it difficult to breathe or speak.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards: Made from thermoplastic, often ethylene vinyl acetate, these guards soften in hot water and mold to your child’s bite when they bite down. They are the most commonly used option for youth sports, but they still don’t provide the best fit or maximum safety.

Custom mouthguards: Created in a dental office with digital impressions or an iTero scanner, these offer the right fit and a higher level of protection. Camelot’s dentists ensure a custom mouth guard stays secure, feels comfortable, and offers the best defense against dental trauma.

Why Custom Mouthguards Offer the Best Protection

The biggest advantage of a custom fit is stability. A mouthguard that moves or shifts during athletic activity can’t fully absorb the force of a collision. A custom solution created by dental professionals distributes bite pressure evenly across the teeth and jaw, protecting not just the smile but the entire mouth structure.

Custom guards also protect orthodontic appliances. If your teen wears orthodontic brackets or retainers, a store-bought bite mouthguard can actually create more problems. Camelot ensures a design that safeguards both the appliances and the surrounding soft tissues.

For high school football athletes, ice hockey players, and basketball players, having the best fit available makes a measurable difference. Numerous studies, including a systematic review published in Med Sci Sports Exerc and J Am Dent, have documented the effect of mouthguards on reducing dentofacial injuries.

TMJ Protection: Looking Beyond the Season

Mouthguards don’t just protect teeth. They also reduce stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When a player takes a hit, the jaw joint absorbs some of the impact. Without cushioning, repeated contact can lead to jaw soreness, limited movement, and even long-term TMJ disorders.

At Camelot Dental Group, we see the connection between athletic mouthguards and future TMJ treatment. By cushioning the jaw, a custom mouth guard reduces the risk of trauma and helps prevent joint strain. For athletes already showing signs of clenching or grinding, a night guard may be recommended for additional support outside of sports.

Emergency Treatment for Sports Injuries

Even with the best preparation, accidents happen. If your teen suffers a dental injury such as a cracked tooth, knocked-out tooth, or severe dental trauma, Camelot Dental Group provides emergency treatment in Columbus. Prompt care increases the chance of saving a tooth and avoiding further complications.

Our dentists are trained to manage injuries related to athletic activity, from stabilizing broken teeth to planning restorative treatment like dental crowns, implant restoration, or porcelain restorations when needed.

The Role of Preventive Dentistry

Mouthguards are part of a bigger picture: preventive dentistry. Regular dental visits give us the chance to evaluate your teen’s growth, review the fit of their sports mouth guard, and make adjustments before the next season begins. Preventive care also supports good oral health, making teeth stronger and less prone to injury during competition.

By combining preventive checkups, proper mouthguard use, and education for families, Camelot helps young athletes stay healthy both on and off the field.

How Camelot Dental Group Supports Columbus Families

• Custom athletic mouthguards: Personalized for the best fit and maximum comfort.
  
• TMJ treatment: Evaluation and care for jaw pain caused by injury or misalignment.
  
• Emergency treatment: Same-day care for sports-related injuries and trauma.
  
• Modern technology: Digital impressions and advanced imaging for precise results.
  

Whether your child is playing field hockey, competing in martial arts, or heading into the playoffs with their team, our goal is to give them the confidence to focus on their game while we focus on their protection.

Schedule a Fitting Before the Season Heats Up

Don’t wait until after an injury to think about protection. A custom Athletic Mouthguard is a smart investment in your teen’s safety, comfort, and long-term health. 

Call our office at 614-618-3813 to schedule a fitting. Together, we’ll make sure your athlete is equipped with the protection they deserve.