Avoid Sports-Related Dental Injuries by Wearing a Mouthguard

Now that football season is rolling around, people of all ages will pick up the old pig skin, thinking they can replicate the incredible feats of athleticism they see on their TVs. The weather is cooling down and many of us will pick up basketballs, footballs, baseball bats and so on for some exercise. 

Unfortunately, games of pickup football and other sports often lead to some nasty injuries, many of which involve the teeth, lips, tongue and other parts of the mouth.

Sports Put Your Oral Health at Risk

If you are the parent of a student or if you are still active enough to play sports yourself, it is imperative that you have a mouthguard on hand. Wearing a mouthguard can mean the difference between extensive surgery with the dentist and the preservation of perfect oral health. 

About a half a century ago, one in two high school football injuries were to the mouth or other parts of the face. Mouthguards have reduced this rate to a mere two percent. The same is true in other sports like basketball, boxing, hockey, lacrosse and so on. 

The results of a nine-year study that concluded in 2007 at the University of Southern California show that basketball players have the highest rate of dental traumatic injuries of all college sports. Share this information with your children so they know just how tough basketball can be on their teeth. 

Avoid a Trip to the Dentist With a Mouthguard

Do not let your kids go with the flow and play outdoor contact sports without a mouthguard. Their friends might not wear mouthguards, but that should not mean that your kids' teeth go unprotected. 

Let your kids use stock mouthguards like the ones available in school. Sometimes, these fit poorly and do not protect as comprehensively as other types of mouthguards. There is also a boil and bite style of mouthguard that provides a better fit and spreads out force distribution. 

Or, you can opt for a custom fabricated mouthguard for the young athlete in your life. It provides considerable protection, longevity and comfort. Don't be afraid to shell out for one of these means of protection. A well-protected mouth is much cheaper than a bloody mouth that requires extensive surgery.