Spring is in the air and so are Spring sports! That’s why April is National Facial Protection Month. Keep your children healthy by making sure they wear a mouth guard when engaging in organized sports or recreational activities where there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces to reduce the risk of injury to teeth, bone and lips, and also to reduce the risk of concussion.
Although many different types of mouth guards are available on the market, such as the stock mouth guard and mouth-formed (“fit it yourself” or “boil and bite”) types, these do not give the same level of protection as custom mouth guards fitted by a dentist. Dr. Melissa says, “Wearing a mouthguard while playing sports is a must. Mouthguards are significantly less expensive than the cost to repair an injury, and pediatric dentists can make customized mouthguards that hold teeth in place while allowing for normal speech and breathing.”
A mouthguard should be comfortable and well fitted without restricting breathing, able to resist tearing and easy to clean. Custom mouthguards are far superior in that they are individually designed for comfort and retention. Custom mouthguards are also uniquely trimmed to enhance breathing and redistribute forces evenly on impact, acting as a shock absorber to help prevent chipped teeth and loss of teeth.
Dr. Melissa can help your child get fitted for a custom mouthguard. Call us at 925-930-9390 or stop by the office to learn more!
- According to the CDC, more than half of the 7 million sports- and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by children as young as 5 years old.
- Last year, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF) forecasted that more than 3 million teeth would be knocked out in youth sporting events.
- They also reported that athletes who don’t wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth.
- The Academy of Sports Dentistry categorizes organized sports to include, but not limited to: football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, volleyball, ice and field hockey, softball and soccer. Recreational sports include cycling, inline skating, skateboarding or any activity in which the face could come in contact with a hard object, another person or the pavement