Summer is here, and that means youth sports are in full swing! Whether your child is suiting up for soccer, football, baseball, or lacrosse, their health and performance are top priorities. But while we often think of shin guards, water breaks, and stretching as key parts of the game plan, oral health is just as important to overall performance and well-being.
At Loudoun Smile Center, we want to help your young athlete stay healthy on and off the field. Two often-overlooked parts of oral care during sports season are mouthguards and sports drinks, and together, they can have a big impact on your child’s teeth.
Sports Drinks: A Sneaky Source of Tooth Trouble
Sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade, and BodyArmor may help replenish electrolytes, but they’re also packed with sugar and acid, two of the biggest threats to healthy teeth.
These drinks:
- Erode enamel due to high acidity
- Feed harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to cavities
- Stick to teeth when the saliva flow is reduced during exercise
Even sugar-free versions can be acidic enough to soften enamel over time, especially with frequent sips throughout a game.
What can you do instead? Encourage plain water during practices and games. If sports drinks are necessary, rinse with water afterward and avoid sipping slowly over time. Make sure your child brushes after games or drinks with fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel.
The Power of Mouthguards
We see it every year—kids come in with cracked, chipped, or knocked-out teeth from sports injuries that could have been prevented with a mouthguard. Whether your child plays contact sports like football or fast-moving games like basketball or soccer, a custom mouthguard is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect their smile.
Benefits of using a mouthguard:
- Shields teeth, gums, lips, and jaw from impact
- Reduces the risk of dental emergencies
- Helps prevent costly and painful injuries
- Can even improve breathing and focus in some athletes
While store-bought options are available, custom-fitted mouthguards from our office offer superior comfort, protection, and durability, especially for kids with braces.
Combining the Two: How It May Magnify the Problem
Here’s something most parents (and athletes) don’t think about: Wearing a mouthguard while sipping sports drinks can trap the sugars and acids against the teeth, intensifying the risk of decay. This creates the perfect storm for cavities and enamel damage—especially when proper brushing habits aren’t followed after the game.
So, if your child uses a mouthguard and drinks sports drinks:
- Rinse the mouthguard regularly (and avoid leaving it sitting in sugary saliva)
- Remove it before drinking when possible
- Clean the mouthguard daily to avoid bacteria buildup
- Encourage water instead of sugary alternatives
As your kids hit the field this summer, make oral health part of their gear checklist. Here’s your summer smile game plan:
- Swap sports drinks for water when possible
- Use a custom mouthguard for all practices and games
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Visit our office for a custom mouthguard fitting and mid-summer checkup
Let’s keep those smiles strong, bright, and game-ready all summer long!