SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-Practices for the fall athletic programs have already begun, but it isn’t too late to check mouth guards for proper fit and signs of wear.
“You can prevent the vast majority of sports-related traumatic injuries when you use the proper protective gear, which includes a mouth guard,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a Springfield MO dentist.
This important reminder is part of National Childhood Injury Prevention Week, which is the first week of September. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends the use of mouth guards for children and adults who will be participating in any sport that involves falls, body contact or flying equipment.
“That means any activity that might result in an injury to the mouth-from football, wrestling and baseball to hockey, skateboarding and mountain biking,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, an Ozark teeth whitening expert.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry estimates that the cost of injuries sustained by young athletes is $1.8 billion each year, and the average cost of treatment and lifetime follow-up care for one knocked out permanent tooth will cost $5,000 to $20,000.
“Injuries to the mouth and face can have a long-term impact on oral health too. However, you can prevent damage and avoid those long-term problems with a well-fitted, customized mouth guard like the ones we offer here,” says Dr. Nick Matthews, a Springfield MO veneers provider.
The three broad classifications of mouth guards are stock, boil-and-bite and customized. A custom-made mouth guard will provide the most comfortable fit, but any type of mouth guard or performance wear an athlete chooses to protect their teeth and mouth should be resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. Mouth guards should never restrict speech or breathing. Our office offers three types of custom mouth guards, including the latest performance mouth wear products from Under Armour.
We recommend that parents of young athletes check mouth guards after each season for a proper fit and any signs of wear or tear. Over time, especially with extreme usage, the material wears down and become less effective. Children’s mouths are still developing, changing size and shape, so mouth guards need to be periodically replaced.
“The only way a mouth guard can work is if the athlete is wearing it, so make sure it gets used during every practice and game. Even the most expensive, customized mouth guard can’t protect them when it’s on the counter at home or stuffed in an athletic bag,” says Dr. Marc Barnett, who works at the Springfield Missouri dental clinic.
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