As parents, it is your obligation to make sure your child is properly protected from oral trauma in sports by having your pediatric dentist fabricate a form-fitting mouthguard.
There are several types of mouthguards:

A. Stock: These are available over-the-counter at sporting goods stores. Just open the package and place the mouthguard directly into the mouth. This type offers the least amount of protection, as there is no retention, and it is held in place by constant biting pressure. On impact it can dislodge. Speaking is also difficult with this type of mouthguard.

B. Boil and Bite: This type is the most commonly used today. This mouthguard is also purchased over-the-counter at sporting goods stores, or made in the locker room by coaches. Since the athlete is asked to bite down during the forming procedure while the material is soft and pliable, these mouthguards do not maintain the thickness of material necessary to keep the teeth separated in the case of an impact to the jaw. The boil and bite mouthguards have a dramatic decrease in thickness (70%-99%) during forming, thus providing the athlete with a false sense of protection. Like the "stock mouthguard", the "boil and bite mouthguard" should not be recommended.

C. The multi-laminated heat/pressure mouthguard fabricated by our laboratories are now the treatment of choice for the ultimate in oral/facial athletic protection. Because of the specified and required thickness determined by your pediatric dentist, during impact this mouthguard will deliver the intended protection expected by the athlete. Shock absorption will occur and there will be an equal distribution and transfer of the impact forces throughout the mouthguard, thereby minimizing the chance for concussion and other serious injuries.