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When people hear “facial protection,” they usually think of helmets, face masks, and mouthguards. And yes—those things matter.
But protecting a child’s face is about more than preventing a busted lip or a broken tooth during sports. It also means protecting what is happening inside the mouth every day: growing teeth, developing jaws, healthy breathing, and habits that can affect a child’s comfort, sleep, speech, and long-term oral health. When bite problems are caught early, children have a better chance of developing a healthy, comfortable bite.
That is why National Facial Protection Month is a good time to think bigger. For parents, teachers, school nurses, coaches, and oral health educators, this month can be a reminder that facial protection includes both preventing injuries and supporting healthy development.
Here are five important ways to protect more than a child’s smile.
This is the most obvious kind of facial protection, and it is one families should not overlook.
Children should wear a properly fitted mouthguard during sports and recreational activities that put the mouth at risk for injury. That includes obvious contact sports, but also activities many parents may not think about right away, such as bicycling, skateboarding, gymnastics, baseball, softball, and volleyball. Mouthguards can help reduce the risk of broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, injuries to the lips and cheeks, and jaw injuries.
For children with braces, mouthguards are especially important. They can help protect not only the teeth, but also the lips and cheeks from being cut by brackets during an impact.
For educators and advocates, this is an easy message to reinforce: if a child is active enough to fall, collide, or take a hit to the face, a mouthguard may be worth discussing.
Not all facial protection is about sudden injuries. Some damage happens slowly and quietly.
Many parents are surprised to learn that children can grind or clench their teeth, especially while sleeping. Sometimes a parent hears the sound at night. Other times, the first clues are headaches, jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, or wear that a dentist notices during a checkup.
If your child seems to grind their teeth, talk with your dentist or pediatrician so they can look for possible causes and check for damage. In some cases, a dentist may simply monitor the issue. In others, they may recommend ways to protect the teeth while the underlying cause is addressed.
For parents and educators, the takeaway is simple: if a child often complains of jaw discomfort, morning headaches, or seems to grind at night, bring it up. Catching small problems early is one more way to protect the mouth and face from bigger ones later.
Many babies and toddlers suck their thumbs or use pacifiers. That is normal. These habits are soothing, and in early childhood they are usually not a cause for alarm.
The key issue is how long the habit continues.
Pediatric dental guidance notes that while these habits are common in infancy, prolonged sucking habits can begin to affect the way teeth line up and how the jaws develop. In real life, that may look like front teeth that no longer meet properly or changes in bite alignment as a child grows.
Parents do not need to panic or shame a child for a soothing habit. The better approach is to watch, ask questions, and bring it up with a dentist before the habit starts affecting growth.
Some children breathe through their mouths so often that it starts to seem normal. They may sleep with their mouths open, snore, seem tired during the day, or always look a little congested. But mouth breathing can sometimes be a clue that a child’s sleep, focus, speech, or oral development may need closer attention. Professional guidance in speech-language pathology and pediatric dentistry describes patterns involving breathing, tongue position, swallowing, and facial growth as related concerns, while also cautioning that these relationships are not always simple cause-and-effect.
Take Noah, for example. Noah’s mom thought he was just a noisy sleeper. He snored, slept with his mouth open, and often seemed tired in the morning. During the day, he breathed through his mouth so often that she barely noticed it anymore.
At school, Noah’s teacher saw another side of the story. He had trouble focusing, seemed worn out by the afternoon, and was sometimes hard to understand. His teacher also noticed that Noah often sat with his mouth open, even when he was not talking.
When she shared those observations with his mother, it helped her connect the dots. What seemed like a small habit might have been affecting Noah’s sleep, attention, and learning. It also raised concerns about how his teeth and jaws were developing over time.
Not every child who breathes through their mouth will have serious problems. But if a child regularly breathes through their mouth, snores, sleeps restlessly, seems tired during the day, or struggles to focus, it is worth mentioning to a dentist or pediatrician. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to pay attention to symptoms such as snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, and daytime problems because they can be signs of sleep-disordered breathing.
For educators, this section matters because they may notice patterns parents do not. A child who is chronically tired, frequently open-mouthed, hard to understand, or struggling with attention may need support—not judgment.
Cavity prevention is also facial protection.
Untreated tooth decay can cause pain, infection, trouble eating, trouble sleeping, and missed school. Severe decay in baby teeth can also affect the space needed for permanent teeth to come in properly, which is one reason it is so important to protect them early. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research warns that untreated decay can lead to pain, impaired development, and other serious quality-of-life concerns for children.
This is a powerful point for parents and educators alike. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, limiting frequent sugary snacks and drinks, getting regular dental care, and addressing early signs of decay are not just about avoiding cavities. They are part of protecting a child’s ability to eat, sleep, speak, smile, and grow well.
A child may benefit from extra support if you notice:
None of these signs automatically means a child has a serious problem. But each one is worth paying attention to. Early conversations with a dentist, pediatrician, or speech-language professional can make a big difference.
Protecting a child’s face is about more than stopping injuries in the moment. It is also about protecting the teeth, jaws, breathing, and healthy habits that shape a child’s comfort and development over time.
This National Facial Protection Month, let’s widen the conversation. Mouthguards matter. So do sleep, breathing, cavity prevention, and everyday habits that affect growing smiles.
When adults know what to watch for, they are better prepared to protect not just a child’s smile—but their health, confidence, and future.
Possibly, yes. Mouthguards are recommended for a wide range of sports and recreational activities, not just football or hockey. Activities like bicycling, skateboarding, gymnastics, baseball, softball, and volleyball can also put teeth and jaws at risk for injury.
Sometimes. Some children grind without major problems, but grinding can also lead to tooth wear, jaw discomfort, headaches, or other concerns. If you suspect grinding, mention it to your dentist or pediatrician.
These habits are common in babies and toddlers, but families should pay closer attention if they continue for too long or begin affecting the way teeth come together. Prolonged sucking habits can influence bite development.
Yes. If these habits continue long enough, they can affect bite alignment and the way teeth come together as a child grows.
It can be. Habitual mouth breathing may be a sign that something is affecting healthy breathing, sleep, speech, or oral development. It is worth mentioning to a dentist or pediatrician, especially if the child also snores, sleeps poorly, or seems tired during the day.
Yes. Untreated decay can lead to pain, infection, trouble sleeping, trouble eating, and other health and quality-of-life concerns. Protecting baby teeth also helps support healthy growth and spacing for permanent teeth.
Jack Hughes, USA Hockey. Getty Images
