Children’s Dentist Cambridge

Kid’s Dental Checkups & Cleanings

Just like adults, it’s important for children to receive bi-annual checkups and cleanings to keep their oral health on the right track. These visits will include a thorough professional cleaning, examination from Dr. Todd or Dr. Bhatt, and an evaluation of growth and development. We may also recommend a fluoride treatment to help keep cavities at-bay until the next time they visit us!

Thumb-Sucking Help for Kids

Thumb-sucking is a natural soothing habit that most children develop as infants; however, we advise parents to start weening their children off of this habit by the time they turn three years of age. Thumb-sucking can dramatically reduce worsening orthodontic problems as their mouth is developing, such as bite problems and crowding. If you would like some guidance and to learn more about the importance of this, our dentists are happy to help!

Athletic Mouthguards

Does your child participate on their school or a local sports team? Protect your favorite smile with a customized athletic mouthguard. These are designed to provide maximum, comfortable protection, all while being much easier to breathe with than one-size-fits-all guards. They’re also easy to clean and durable, making them well worth the investment!

Wearing an athletic mouth guard is one of the most important and often overlooked pieces of protective equipment for athletes of all levels. Here is a breakdown of the key reasons:

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Protect Against Tooth Damage

The most direct benefit is shielding your teeth from impact. A mouth guard absorbs and distributes the force of a blow to the face, significantly reducing the risk of:

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• Tooth fractures (both crown and root)

Prevention of Soft Tissue Injuries

Without a mouth guard, the sharp edges of your teeth can lacerate the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums during impact. A mouth guard acts as a cushioned barrier between your teeth and soft oral tissues.

Concussion Risk Reduction

There is evidence suggesting that mouth guards may help reduce the severity of concussions by absorbing some of the shock transmitted through the jaw to the skull during impacts. While not a complete concussion prevention tool, they add a meaningful layer of protection.

Prevention of Dental Emergencies

Dental injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries. A mouth guard dramatically reduces the likelihood of requiring costly and painful emergency dental procedures, such as root canals, implants, or bridgework.

Applicability Across Many Sports

Mouth guards are recommended not only for contact sports like football, boxing, and hockey, but also for:

• Basketball and soccer (collision risk)
• Gymnastics and skateboarding (fall risk)
• Martial arts and wrestling
• Cycling and mountain biking

Types of Athletic Mouthguards

Type	Description	Fit Quality	Cost
Stock	Pre-formed, ready to wear	Poor	Low
Boil-and-Bite	Softened in hot water, then molded to teeth	Moderate	Low–Moderate
Custom-Fitted	Made by a dentist from dental impressions	Excellent	Higher

A custom-fitted mouth guard from your dentist offers the best protection, comfort, and breathability, making it the preferred choice for serious athletes.

The Bottom Line

The American Dental Association (ADA) and numerous sports medicine organizations recommend mouth guards for anyone participating in activities with a risk of facial impact. The cost of a mouth guard is minimal compared to the potential expense — financial and physical — of a serious dental or jaw injury. It is a small investment that can prevent significant long-term harm.