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According to the American Dental Association, at least 13% of all injuries to the mouth occur during sports activities. While helmets, shoulder pads, shin guards, and the like do a great job of protecting most of the body, Dr. Robinson would like to make sure that every athlete knows how to keep their teeth safe from harm. No Saginaw parent should have to worry about their child’s teeth during games, so at Blue Sky Smiles we would like to talk about how to take sports safety to the next level.
Mouthguards and Sports Safety
In Saginaw, we live for a good game. Our athletes train hard to win, so it’s not hard to imagine why they don’t shy away from contact. However, that doesn’t mean that your family has to suffer the consequences of a sports-related oral injury. Mouthguards are the key to oral safety in sports.
When to Get a Mouthguard
Let’s say your child has decided to sign up for a high school team, or maybe you’ve joined a local sports league. Now you’re wondering – do I really need a mouthguard? Does my child need one? More often than not, the answer is yes. Dr. Robinson reminds us that an oral sports injury can cause anything from a swollen lip to a chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth to severe tissue damage. Mouth protectors provide a buffer, substantially reducing the risk of harm from an impact. Some research even suggests that mouthguards help protect against concussions. Here are some surprising facts about mouthguards and sports safety:
Although schools only require mouthguards for football, lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey, basketball and baseball have the highest occurrences of dental injury. To add to that, there are more than 29 sports for which the American Dental Association recommends the use of mouth protectors. Here at Blue Sky Smiles, we want everyone to have a healthy, protected smile, so make sure to give us a call if you have any questions about the need for a mouthguard.
Finding the Right Mouthguard
Dr. Robinson would like every Saginaw resident to know that sports safety extends beyond just using a mouthguard. In order to have maximum protection, your child or teen needs to wear a properly-fitted mouth protector during games and practices. Most mouthguards cover only the top row of teeth, but Dr. Robinson may recommend coverage for both rows under certain circumstances. A mouthguard should never make breathing or speaking difficult. In addition, mouthguards should be resilient, tear-resistant, and fit comfortably in the user’s mouth. Below are the three main types of mouth protectors:
Have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us! At Blue Sky Smiles, we are committed to providing the best dental care in Saginaw and that means making sure that all our athletes are protected!
Sources
http://www.drosmanski.com/blog/category/Sports.html
http://blog.brighter.com/2013/score-big-with-dental-safety-and-sports/#_ftn1
Please call us at (817) 232-5341 or fill out the form below to request an appointment.
According to the American Dental Association, at least 13% of all injuries to the mouth occur during sports activities. While helmets, shoulder pads, shin guards, and the like do a great job of protecting most of the body, Dr. Robinson would like to make sure that every athlete knows how to keep their teeth safe […]