Sports Dentistry

Custom Sports Mouthguards for Children in Vero Beach, FL

Sports injuries cause the majority of dental emergencies in school-age children - and the simplest way to prevent them is a properly fitted custom sports mouthguard. At Nickel Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Andrew Nickel makes custom mouthguards for young athletes across Indian River County - kids playing at Saint Edward’s, Indian River Charter, Sebastian River High, Vero Beach High, and youth leagues throughout the area. A custom mouthguard fits more comfortably, protects more reliably, and lasts longer than the boil-and-bite versions sold at sporting goods stores.

Which Sports Need a Mouthguard?

Any sport with a risk of contact, falls, or stick/ball impact. Specifically:

• Football - full contact; mouthguards are mandatory at most levels
• Basketball - high-elbow, high-collision sport with significant dental trauma rates
• Soccer - kicked balls, head-to-head contact
• Lacrosse - stick contact; mouthguards required by most leagues
• Hockey - stick and puck impact
• Baseball / softball - line drives, batting injuries
• Wrestling - direct mouth contact
• Martial arts - kickboxing, MMA, jiu-jitsu, taekwondo
• Gymnastics and cheerleading - falls and tumbles
• Skateboarding, BMX, mountain biking - ground impact

If your child plays a sport where the mouth could be hit by a person, a ball, a stick, or the ground - they need a mouthguard.

Custom-Fit vs. Store-Bought - Why It Matters

Boil-and-bite mouthguards from sporting goods stores are inexpensive and better than nothing. But they have limitations: they fit imprecisely, they’re often bulky, and kids commonly chew through them or take them out because they’re uncomfortable. A mouthguard that’s not in the mouth provides zero protection.

Custom mouthguards from our office:

• Fit precisely to your child’s teeth and bite - minimal bulk, comfortable to wear
• Stay in place during play without constant repositioning
• Last longer - a custom guard typically holds up for 1-2 sports seasons
• Allow easier breathing and speaking - kids actually keep them in
• Can be made to fit over braces if your child is in orthodontic treatment

The cost difference between a quality custom guard and an over-the-counter version closes considerably when you factor in how reliably each one is actually worn.

How a Custom Mouthguard Is Made

The process is straightforward and takes two short visits:

1. Visit 1: Impression or digital scan. We take a precise impression (or digital scan) of your child’s upper teeth. The appointment takes about 15 minutes.
2. Lab fabrication. Our lab fabricates the custom mouthguard from durable thermoplastic. Turnaround is typically 1-2 weeks.
3. Visit 2: Fitting. Your child tries on the finished mouthguard, we adjust if needed, and we walk through care and cleaning.

Total cost depends on your insurance coverage and the type of guard. Most dental insurance plans don’t cover sports mouthguards (they’re considered optional), but we keep pricing reasonable and clear.

If Your Child Has a Dental Sports Injury

Even with a mouthguard, accidents happen. Here’s what to know:

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Time matters. The 30-60 minute window after the injury gives the best chance of replanting.

1. Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown (the white chewing surface), never the root.
2. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with milk for a few seconds. Don’t scrub. Don’t use water.
3. Place it back in the socket if your child is old enough to safely hold it. Otherwise, transport in milk (or in saliva - held in the cheek of an older child or parent).
4. Call us immediately at (772) 494-6010 while you head to the office. Our 24/7 emergency line is always available.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Do not try to put it back in. Reinserting a knocked-out baby tooth can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath. Bring the tooth with you so we can confirm what was lost, and call us.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

Save any pieces, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek, and call us. Treatment depends on the extent of the damage.

For more on dental trauma protocol, see our dental emergencies page.

Caring for a Custom Mouthguard

• Rinse it with cool water before and after each use
• Brush it gently with a toothbrush every few uses
• Store it in the rigid case we provide - never loose in a sports bag
• Bring it to dental appointments so we can check the fit (kids’ mouths grow; mouthguards eventually need replacement)
• Don’t leave it in a hot car or in direct sunlight - heat warps the material

A well-cared-for custom mouthguard typically lasts 1-2 sports seasons before it needs replacement. We’ll let you know at routine visits when it’s time for a new one.