Play Safe!

Prevent sporting injuries with the use of mouth guards

The mouth and face of a child or young adult can be easily injured if the proper precautions are not used while participating in sports or recreational activities.  The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF) forecasted that more than 3 million teeth would be knocked out in youth sporting events this year.  They also reported that athletes who don’t wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth. Yet, 67% of parents admitted that their children do not wear a mouth guard during organized sports. This raises a question: if mouth guards offer a simple and relatively inexpensive solution to help dramatically decrease the risk of oral injuries, why aren’t more kids wearing them?

An effective mouth guard holds teeth in place, resists tearing and allows for normal speech and breathing. It should cover the teeth and, depending on the patient’s bite, also the gums. Your dental professional can recommend the best mouth guard for every sports activity. A properly fitted mouth guard can prevent many accidents and traumatic injuries.

Wearing a mouth guard when playing contact sports can help prevent injury to a person’s jaw, mouth and teeth and they are significantly less expensive than the cost to repair an injury. Dentists and dental specialists can make customized mouth guards, which provide the best fit for your child. Other less-expensive options are the boil and bite mouth guards, which are softened in boiling water to fit the mouth, and stock mouth guards, which are ready-to-wear but often don’t fit well.

Get ready for a safe sporting season.   Talk to your dental professional about the best mouth guard option for your child!

Dr. Tasneem Rhemtulla DMD

Centennial Smiles