Imagine what it would be like if you or your child lost or broke one or two front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating would all be affected. May has been an interesting month weather wise and as the sun shines outside more of us and our kids are heading outside to play sports and exercise. Living an active lifestyle and having children that are involved in sports is great for your mind and body. It can also come with risks if precautions are not taken. One of the saddest things we see as dentists coming into our office is trauma to front teeth. For us this is sad at any age but especially sad when it happens to a child or young adult. Good thing there is a simple way to avoid sports related injuries in many circumstances. THE MOUTHGUARD! Check out these 5 really awesome reasons to use a mouthguard!
- The American Dental Association estimates that about one third of all dental injuries are sports-related.
- There is NOTHING better than your own teeth! Mouth guards protect against the following types of injuries: Chipping or breaking of teeth, having a tooth knocked out of your mouth, nerve damage to the tooth, damage to dental work, injuries to lips or cheeks, and fracturing of your jaw.
- Using a mouthguard is proven to reduce the risk of sports-related dental injuries; it is estimated wearing a mouth guards prevents over 200,000 injuries a year.
- Most contact sports require a mouthguard to be worn
- It is VERY inexpensive compared to having dental work done on your front teeth!
There are three main types of mouthguard available:
1. Stock mouth guard: These tend to be the least expensive mouthguard. The main complaint with these is that there is little you can do to adjust them. They tend to be bulky than the other two types.
2. Boil and bite mouth guards: These are a little more expensive than a stock mouth guard but will fit better. They soften under water and can form to your mouth so the fit will be more accurate.
3. Custom mouth guard: This is the most expensive option. It is also the option that will have the best fit and the most protection. This type of mouthguard is only available from a dentist. An impression is taken of your teeth and a custom mouthguard is fabricated.
Not every mouthguard is made equal. Some offer better protection than others. Whichever type of mouthguard you choose remember that if you buy it at a store to make sure it has the ADA seal of approval on it! If you have any additional questions about a mouthguard or if you would like one made we are always available to answer any questions.
Mashni Dentistry