Contact us today to learn more about our Pediatric Mouthguards or to schedule an appointment. Let us help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile in the most comfortable way possible.
Children’s active lifestyles bring joy and essential physical development, but also create opportunities for dental injuries. Sports-related dental trauma accounts for a significant percentage of childhood dental emergencies, with activities from organized sports to playground play posing potential risks to developing teeth. A properly fitted pediatric mouthguard can prevent these injuries, protecting your child’s smile while they enjoy their favorite activities.
At Open Bright Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Laurie and our caring team provide custom mouthguards for Harlem’s active children. We understand the importance of balancing safety with comfort, creating protective devices that children will actually wear consistently during physical activities.
Not all mouthguards offer the same level of protection or comfort. There are three main categories parents should know about:
These pre-formed protectors are available at sporting goods stores in limited sizes. While inexpensive and readily available, stock mouthguards offer minimal protection and comfort. They often fit poorly, making it difficult for children to breathe and communicate during activities, which may discourage consistent use.
These semi-custom protectors are softened in hot water and then shaped to the teeth by biting down. While providing better fit than stock options, boil-and-bite mouthguards still lack the precise fit and durability of custom-made devices.
Created from professional dental impressions taken at our Harlem pediatric dental office, custom mouthguards offer superior protection, comfort, and durability. These mouthguards are precisely designed for your child’s unique dental anatomy, providing optimal protection without interfering with breathing or speech during activities.
Mouthguards are essential for children participating in:
For Harlem families whose children are active in multiple sports or activities, having proper dental protection should be considered as essential as helmets, pads, and other protective equipment.
Creating a custom mouthguard for your child at our Harlem office involves a simple, comfortable process:
The entire process typically requires just two short visits to our office, resulting in a mouthguard that offers maximum protection with minimal bulk and discomfort.
Investing in a custom mouthguard from our Harlem pediatric dental practice offers numerous advantages:
Many children also benefit from nighttime mouthguards to protect against teeth grinding (bruxism). Signs your child might need a night guard include:
Our pediatric dental team can evaluate whether a nighttime mouthguard would benefit your child’s dental health and overall comfort.
At Open Bright Pediatric Dentistry, protecting your child’s smile while they stay active is a priority. Dr. Laurie draws on her experience as a former director of a dental residency program to ensure every mouthguard provides optimal protection. Our practice understands the unique needs of Harlem’s diverse community, offering care in multiple languages including Spanish, French, and Arabic.
We accept most major PPO plans through our Carrington umbrella plan, including MetLife, Guardian, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and United Healthcare. We’re also in-network with Delta Dental (specifically 32BJ) to make protective care accessible for your family.
Don’t wait until after an injury occurs to consider protective equipment for your child’s smile. Contact Open Bright Pediatric Dentistry today at (607) 499-4651 or through our online contact form to schedule a consultation for a custom-fitted mouthguard.
Not sure if we work with your dental plan? Fill out the form and we will check for you! For your convenience, we accept payments from most major PPO Insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Careington. Cigna, United Healthcare, Sunlife, MetLife, Aetna, Guardian, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, 32BJ, and more.
Open Bright is here to make your child smile.
Call (347) 292-1757 or schedule online to set up your visit.
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© 2025 Open Bright Pediatric Dentistry P.C. All rights reserved.
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We would be so grateful if you can leave us a review on your preferred platform. It would mean so much if we are able to share with potential clients so they can feel more confident choosing us.
