Research reveals that one in every 10 athletes in the United States will receive a dental or facial injury during their sports season, which amounts to dental or facial injuries to approximately 15 million Americans annually.1
Further evidence of the importance of mouth guards in sports comes from the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation which estimates that players who don’t wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth during competition.2
Consider a custom fit mouth guard from your dentist for the best wear and protection.
If your child will be playing on a school team this fall, now is a good time to schedule a dental visit for your child to receive a dental check-up and get your student athlete fitted for a mouth guard.
Even if your child isn’t on an official team, but participates in backyard sports such as basketball, baseball or even skateboarding and mountain biking, you should consider getting a mouth guard.
What Can Happen without a Mouth Guard?
The three most common sports injuries to the mouth include cracked teeth, fractured roots and tooth intrusion which occurs when the teeth are knocked back into the jawbone.3 A mouth guard acts like a crash helmet for the teeth, lips and gums according to the Dental Health Society.4
Mouth guards block blows that can cause damage to the teeth and they also absorb the shock of falling. They generally cover the top teeth only.
What are Some Types of Mouth Guards?
There are a number of different ways to purchase a mouth guard. There are two types of mouth guards which are sold online and at drug and sporting goods stores. Stock or over-the-counter mouth guards are those which you wear right out of the box.
They are generally made of plastic and come in large, medium and small sizes and boil-and-bite guards are ones where the guard is placed in hot water and then the athlete bites into it for a customized fit, similar to a dental impression.5 Boil-and-bite guards are generally more comfortable than stock guards.
Can I get a Mouth Guard from My Dentist?
The third type of mouth guard is one that is custom-made by a dentist. Custom bite guards are made in a lab out of hard plastic or acrylic. To make a custom bite guard the dentist will take impressions or 3D images of the top teeth. Using the impressions or 3D images a lab will fabricate the bite guard. On the second dental visit the dentist will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments.
Custom bite guards are designed to exactly fit the patient’s teeth so they are more comfortable to wear than either the stock or boil-and-bite mouth guards. Custom bite guards are the most durable and long-lasting and can last up to several years.
Bringing your mouth guard to dental checkups is important so your dentist can advise on whether your mouth guard needs to be replaced or any adjustments need to be made. Store-bought mouth guards may need to be replaced several times a year.
What About the Cost?
The cost of a custom mouth guard may be reimbursed by a dental insurance plan. While custom mouth guards may be expensive, the cost of replacing a lost tooth is about 20 times more than the price of the mouth guard.6 Mouth guards protect more than your finances. They also save your student athlete from the pain and trauma associated with mouth injuries and can ensure that your athlete’s original teeth stay in good health well after their sports career has ended.
Need to Schedule a Dental Checkup?
Protect your teeth and your children’s teeth with comprehensive dental care and services at Walled Lake Dentist. Our dental clinic offers the latest in dental treatments and procedures, including everything from general dentistry to restorative and cosmetic dentistry such as veneers and dental implants.
Keep your teeth, smile and mouth healthy for life with optimal dental care from Dr Hechtman. Schedule a dental checkup today!
____________________________________________________
1,2, 3, 6 The Three Most Common Dental Injuries in Sports and How to Prevent Them, 1/9/2023
Link: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/three-kinds-of-tooth-injury-that-occur-in-sports#
4, 5 A Guide to Bite Guards and Mouthguards, 11/9/2020
Link: https://dentalhealthsociety.com/oral-health/a-guide-to-bite-guards-and-mouthguards/