Dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports. These injuries can be prevented by the use of mouth guards. It is important to remember that damaged permanent teeth do not grow back. So it is important to protect children’s teeth during sports activities as well as to allow them to focus and enjoy the sport too.

The American Dental Association recommends wearing custom mouth guards for the following sports: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling. Other experts include baseball and softball infielders on that list. They further recommend the mouthguard to be worn during all practices and competition.