Is your child or teen participating in sports at a Hendricks County school or in a youth league? Did you know that over 3,000,000 teeth are knocked out during youth sporting events across the country each year?
It’s true. In a 2011 study, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF) says more than three million teeth are lost annually when kids play sports.
As a parent, you may be wondering what you can do to protect your child’s teeth.
Have your child wear a mouth guard, also called a mouth protector, when playing all contact sports, including football, soccer, hockey and lacrosse, where the risk of injury is higher to help prevent injuries to the mouth. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to have your child wear a mouth guard during non-contact sports, like basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball, where the chance of dental injury is more incidental. Even if your child wears a helmet or face mask while playing sports, they should still wear a mouth guard since it can cushion blows that may cause jaw fractures.
A mouth guard is a soft plastic or laminate device worn by athletes to prevent injuries to their teeth, mouth, tongue, cheeks and jaw. A mouth guard should cover and hold your child’s teeth in place. And depending on their bite, it should cover their gums, too. A properly fitted mouth guard will not hamper your child’s normal speech and breathing.
Mouth Guards Reduce the Risk of Injury
The American Dental Association says over 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year through the use of mouth guards. In fact, the NYSSF says athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer damage to their teeth when they’re not wearing a protective mouth guard.
If your Hendricks County child wears braces or other dental appliances, it’s really important for them to wear a properly fitted mouth guard. A blow to their face is more likely to cause an oral injury, including mouth lacerations. Also, a hit in the face can damage their braces or appliances.
Reduce your child’s chance of injury by getting them a mouth guard and reminding them to wear it when they play sports.
Talk to Your Dentist about Mouth Guards
A custom-made mouth guard provides the best fit for your child’s mouth while offering the greatest protection against injuries. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Erickson at Danville Family Dentistry in Hendricks County for more information about getting a mouth guard made for your child.
(317) 745-4400
