Sports Mouth Guards
When
participating in sports accidents can happen anytime. Anyone who participates in
sports that carry a significant risk of injury – youth or adults – should wear
a mouth guard. These sports and activities could include
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Gymnastics
- Volleyball
- Skateboarding
- Bicycle Racing or BMX Bicycling
According to the National Youth Sports Foundation for the Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Inc., dental or facial injuries are the most common sports injuries. Victims who have a tooth or several teeth knocked out which are not properly preserved or replaced into the mouth immediately may face lifetime costs of from $10,000 to $15,000 per tooth.
It is estimated by the American Dental Association that mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in high school and college football alone.
How do mouth guards work and how are they made?
Typically mouth guards are fitted to protect the upper teeth and can protect the teeth from a hit or strike to the face or jaw. This minimizes the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth.
If you or your child wears braces or other fixed dental appliances, such as bridgework, we may suggest a mouth guard for both upper and lower teeth.
At Harrison Dental we custom make mouth guards for our patients that are form fitted to your own teeth and bite. This gives you the maximum protection against dental injury. Your custom-fitted mouth guard will stay in place while you are wearing it and makes it easy to talk and breathe normally.
To make your custom mouth guard we take an impression of your teeth and bite. The mouth guard is then molded to your individual bite and your custom mouth guard is generally ready within one week.
Special for youth sports programs
Because we want our youthful patients to enjoy a lifetime of dental health, during July and August each year we have a special offer on youth sports mouth guards. Please call Lindy at our office for more information or click on the “Mouth Guards” link under the “Features” menu for this year’s youth sports mouth guard special offer.