Physical exercise and activities such as organized sports can be a great way to keep your body healthy, relieve stress, be a part of a team, and just have fun. However, it is important to make sure that you protect your smile when you or your child are participating in sports activities.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), sports injuries may account for up to 39% of all dental injuries in children. It is especially important that both adults and children who have orthodontic treatment such as braces wear a mouthguard during physical activity.
Regularly wearing a mouthguard during sports and physical activity can help prevent dental emergencies such as:
- Tooth damage
- Tooth loss
- Broken or chipped tooth/teeth
- Abrasions or cuts on the cheeks, lip, or tongue, potentially requiring emergency treatment
- Broken brackets or wires (and potential related injuries) for people with braces
The American Dental Association lists 3 different types of mouthguards available:
- Ready-made – can be purchased over the counter at sports stores and other retail outlets
- Mouth-formed (boil and bite) – can be ordered and done at home
- Custom-made mouth guards – made to fit exactly to the athlete’s mouth by a dentist
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that mouth guards should not restrict breathing, should be easy to clean and resist tearing, and should fit properly. The ADA also points out that dental sports injuries can result in costly and extensive treatment and that custom-fitted dental mouth guards can offer superior protection above other options.
1st Family Dental offers custom-made mouth guards for athletes of all ages. If you are interested in learning more about custom-fitted mouthguards for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to contact any of our convenient locations, or speak with your 1st Family Dental dentist at your next office visit.
