Regardless of the age of your child, the level of football they are playing, or whether it’s tackle or flag, mouthpieces are required.

They are worn for practices and games and by now, the mouthpiece has probably been used on more than 30 different occasions and nearly 100 hours and that means there’s a possibility that at this point of the season, your child’s might be worn out.

It’s important that you don’t just ask your child if it is OK because it probably feels great, especially if they’ve chewed it down to the point of complete comfort. Sort of like the shirt that’s worn in perfectly but has stains and holes all over it.

When you check your child’s mouthpiece, the look and shape of it should be very similar to what it was when you first boiled it and inserted it into their mouth for fitting purposes. If not, it could be because it’s wearing down. In some cases, this happens when kids habitually chew on it.

In rare instances, your child’s mouth may have grown enough to make it now feel uncomfortable and when they manipulate it with their teeth, it causes wear and tear.

Be sure to check the tips – you probably clipped them with scissors for fitting – for sharp edges that sometimes form and can eventually lead to cuts in the gums.

Any of these signs is a signal that it’s time for a new mouthpiece. If you aren’t sure, get a new one anyway. The term “better safe than sorry” always applies when it comes to the safety of your child, and this case is no different.

If your child balks, tell them that the mouthpiece not only protects their teeth but also helps prevent concussions. Remind them that if they suffer one of those it will most likely shut them down for the season.

A mouthpiece is just like any other piece of sports equipment, it’s required for a reason and therefore important to replace when needed.

Jon Buzby has been involved in and writing about youth sports for the past 30 years with perspectives as a parent, coach and board member. Jon is an award-winning writer and his latest book, “Coaching Kids Made Easier,” is available on Amazon. Send comments or future blog topics you'd like to see to JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow him @YouthSportsBuzz on Twitter.