Your child’s sports mouthguard could prevent a $20,000 dental emergency in Spokane Valley — and that number is not an exaggeration. A single knocked-out permanent tooth can require implants, crowns, and years of follow-up care. Yet most youth athletes in Spokane Valley take the field without any mouth protection at all. Dr. Amy Cochran and the team at Dr. C KIDS Dentistry want every family to understand the real risks — and the simple solution.

The Real Cost of a Youth Sports Dental Injury

Dental injuries are among the most common sports injuries in children. The American Dental Association estimates that athletes who do not wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer tooth damage. That stat alone should make every sports parent pay attention.

When a permanent tooth gets knocked out or fractured, the treatment plan adds up fast. Emergency visits, sedation, bone grafting, and implants can easily reach $15,000 to $20,000 over time. Many of these costs fall directly on families.

Beyond the financial toll, dental trauma causes real emotional pain for kids. Missing or damaged front teeth affect a child’s confidence and development. The good news is that most of these injuries are entirely preventable with the right protection.

Custom vs. Store-Bought: What Actually Protects Your Child in Spokane Valley

Walk into any sporting goods store and you will find boil-and-bite mouthguards for a few dollars. They seem like a reasonable choice. But there is a significant gap between store-bought and custom-fitted protection.

Boil-and-bite guards are made from generic materials. They often fit loosely, which reduces their ability to absorb and distribute impact. Children also find them uncomfortable and tend to remove them during play — which defeats the purpose entirely.

Custom mouthguards, made from precise impressions of your child’s teeth, offer a much higher level of protection. Here is how they compare:

• Custom guards are fitted to your child’s exact bite and arch shape
• Custom guards stay in place during contact and high-impact moments
• Store-bought guards may shift or fall out during play
• Custom guards are made from durable, high-quality materials designed for impact absorption
• Store-bought guards often interfere with breathing and speaking
• Custom guards are more comfortable, so children actually wear them

The comfort factor matters more than most parents realize. A mouthguard your child refuses to wear provides zero protection. Custom-fitted guards from a pediatric dentist are designed to feel natural and stay put.

Which Sports Require a Mouthguard — and Which Should

Most people associate mouthguards with football and hockey. Those sports mandate them at most levels. But dental injuries happen in many other sports too, and parents often do not think about protection until it is too late.

Sports with a high risk of dental trauma include:

• Football and rugby
• Hockey — ice and field
• Basketball and soccer
• Baseball and softball
• Martial arts and wrestling
• Lacrosse and field hockey
• Gymnastics and skateboarding
• Mountain biking and BMX

Basketball actually has one of the highest rates of dental injury despite not requiring mouthguards in most youth leagues. Elbows and hardwood floors are an unpredictable combination. If your child plays any contact or collision sport, a mouthguard belongs in their gear bag.

Dr. Amy Cochran also recommends mouthguards for children in recreational leagues. Weekend games and pickup sports carry the same dental risks as organized competition. Protection should not depend on the formality of the event.

How Dr. C KIDS Dentistry Fits Your Child for a Custom Mouthguard in Spokane Valley

Getting a custom mouthguard at Dr. C KIDS Dentistry is a simple, child-friendly process. Dr. Amy Cochran and her team make it comfortable and quick. Most appointments take less than an hour from start to finish.

Here is what to expect during a custom mouthguard fitting:

1. Dental exam: We check your child’s current dental health before taking impressions.
2. Impressions: We take precise molds of your child’s upper teeth and bite.
3. Fabrication: The impressions go to a dental lab where a custom guard is created.
4. Fitting appointment: Your child returns to try on the finished guard and confirm the fit.
5. Adjustments: We make any minor refinements needed for comfort and protection.

Children who are still growing will need new mouthguards as their teeth and jaw develop. Dr. Cochran can advise you on when replacement is appropriate. This is also a great time to discuss Ortho Evaluations if your child may benefit from alignment assessment as they grow.

We also encourage families to ask about Dental Promotions And Special Offers In Spokane Valley Wa available for new and returning patients at our practice.

What to Do If Your Child Has a Dental Sports Injury

Even with a mouthguard, accidents can happen. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes after a dental injury can make a major difference in the outcome. Speed matters enormously when a tooth is knocked out.

If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, follow these steps immediately:

• Pick the tooth up by the crown — never touch the root
• Rinse it gently with clean water if it is dirty — do not scrub it
• Try to place the tooth back in the socket if your child is calm enough
• If not, store the tooth in milk or your child’s saliva
• Get to a dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth

Dr. C KIDS Dentistry provides emergency dental care for Spokane Valley families. If your child suffers a dental injury during a game or practice, contact our office right away. Fast action can mean the difference between saving and losing a permanent tooth.

Protecting Your Child’s Smile Is a Team Effort

Youth sports give children confidence, teamwork skills, and lifelong memories. No parent wants an injury to interrupt that experience. A well-fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest investments you can make in your child’s health and future.

Dr. Amy Cochran and the Dr. C KIDS Dentistry team are proud to serve youth athletes and their families throughout Spokane Valley. We make pediatric dental care approachable, educational, and rooted in real prevention. Your child’s sports mouthguard could prevent a $20,000 dental emergency in Spokane Valley — and we are here to make sure you have access to the best protection available.

Do not wait for an injury to take action. Book Now to schedule your appointment with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child start wearing a sports mouthguard?

Children should wear a mouthguard as soon as they begin participating in contact or collision sports. This includes youth leagues, recreational play, and school sports. Even young children with baby teeth benefit from protection, since injuries to primary teeth can affect the development of permanent teeth underneath.

How long does a custom mouthguard last?

Custom mouthguards typically last one to two seasons depending on how often they are used and how quickly your child’s mouth is growing. Dr. Amy Cochran recommends checking the fit at each regular dental visit. Growing children may need a new guard more frequently as their teeth and jaw change.

Can my child wear a mouthguard with braces?

Yes. In fact, wearing a mouthguard is especially important for children with braces because bracket and wire injuries can be severe during impact. Dr. C KIDS Dentistry can fit a custom guard designed to accommodate orthodontic appliances. This protects both the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth.

Are store-bought mouthguards ever acceptable?

A store-bought mouthguard is always better than no mouthguard. However, the fit and protection level are significantly lower than a custom-fitted guard. If your child has a game immediately and no guard is available, a boil-and-bite option is a short-term solution. For ongoing protection, a custom guard from a pediatric dentist is strongly recommended.

What sports make mouthguards mandatory for youth athletes?

Football, hockey, and lacrosse typically mandate mouthguards at most organized youth levels. However, dental injuries occur frequently in basketball, soccer, baseball, martial arts, and gymnastics as well. Dr. Cochran recommends mouthguards for any sport where falls, collisions, or contact with equipment are possible — regardless of whether the sport officially requires one.