As Hendricks County children and young adults suit up to play recreational and organized sports, Dr. Jon Erickson at Danville Family Dentistry wants to remind parents, coaches, and athletes about the importance of mouth guards to protect young athletes’ teeth and gums from dental injuries.
According to a study from the American Academy of Orthodontists, 84% of youth don’t wear mouth guards while playing organized sports, because they’re not required to wear them. What makes this surprising is, young athletes are required to wear other protective gear, like helmets, knee pads, or shoulder pads, so why not mouth guards? When you consider how much some pieces of sports equipment cost, a mouth guard is a relatively inexpensive item.
Why Your Young Athlete Should Wear a Mouth Guard
Every year, 5 million athletes lose teeth due to injuries while playing sports, according to the American Dental Assistants’ Association. In fact, your child athlete is 60 times more likely to damage their teeth if they’re not wearing a mouth guard. Sports-related injuries can include cracked teeth, fractured roots, teeth driven back into the jawbone, and lost teeth. Dental treatment for these types of injuries can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $20,000 over a lifetime, per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Therefore, Dr. Erickson recommends that all Hendricks County youth athletes wear a mouth guard when playing these sports:
A properly fitted mouth guard will cover your child’s teeth and gums, holding their teeth in place. A mouth guard will absorb the energy caused by an impact while playing sports. It can protect your child’s teeth from cracking, chipping, breaking, and loss. A mouth guard can help prevent damage to the soft tissues of your child’s lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue. It will also prevent the fracture or displacement of your young athlete’s jaw joint. Therefore, it’s essential that your child wears a mouth guard while playing recreational or organized sports to lower their risk of injury.
Get a Customized Mouth Guard for Better Protection
Contact the Hendricks County office of Danville Family Dentistry at 317-745-4400 to schedule an appointment to have your child fitted for a custom-made mouth guard. When compared to other less expensive mouth guard options, a customized mouth guard will provide your child with the best fit for better protection. Therefore, play it safe and call today.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
(317) 745-4400
