Guard Your Mouth

Sports related dental injuries are pretty common, especially in children and young adults. Many sports require a variety of protective gear to be worn, however mouth protection is usually not a requirement, and it should be. A survey done by the American Association of Orthodontists found that 67 percent of parents report that their children do not wear mouthguards during sports activities. Mouthguards can reduce the severity of temporomandibular joint injuries and concussions as well as prevent breaking teeth.

There are three types of mouthguards: stock mouthguards, boil-and-bite mouthguards, and custom-made mouthguards. Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and can be purchased at most sporting goods stores for under fifteen dollars, they don’t always fit well and can be uncomfortable. Boil-and-bite mouthguards are softened in boiling water and then molded to the shape of your teeth, these usually cost between five and forty dollars. Custom-made mouthguards are created by your dental professional to fit your mouth and provide the best protection and comfort with a commensurate increase in cost, usually one hundred dollars or more. The benefits of wearing a properly fitted mouthguard far outweigh the costs of treating sports related injures.

One potential downside of wearing a mouthguard during sports activities is the increased risk of cavities due to the regular consumption of sugary beverages during these activities. Drinking something like a Gatorade and putting a mouthguard in afterwards traps the drink’s sugar and acid between the guard and the teeth. Keeping the mouthguard clean and drinking more water should mitigate this risk.

If you do experience a sports-related oral injury, seek prompt treatment from your dental professional. Even if the injury seems minor, it's important to get it checked out to ensure that there are no underlying issues that could lead to further problems down the road. Talk to your dental professional to learn more about mouthguards.