If your child is involved in sports, there is always potential for an accident or injury. However, some sports can pose an even greater danger than others. A blow to the face can cause a sudden dental emergency, something that is no fun. To be on the safe side and prevent a mishap, if your child is participating in any of these sports, it’s best to wear a custom sportsguard!
Sports That Can Result in Dental Trauma
Here are some of the sports that pose the greatest threat to your child’s oral health:
Football
This is an obvious choice since football is a sport where collisions are absolutely unavoidable. Thankfully, players wear a helmet with a face mask that provides a measure of protection for the face and mouth. Still, the helmet can shift, which can leave the teeth and gums exposed to trauma.
Hockey
Similar to football, hockey is a collision-happy sport with added levels of danger. Typically, the only players who wear a caged or masked helmet are the goalies. The other players where a helmet with an open face, which leaves their mouth vulnerable to injury.
There is an added element of danger: a hockey puck and sticks flying around. For hockey players, wearing a sportsguard is an absolute must.
Basketball
Although basketball isn’t technically considered to be a contact sport, it definitely has its fair share of collisions. In addition to the potential of players colliding, there is the chance of being hit by the ball.
Why Custom Sportsguards are the Better Choice
At your local sporting goods store, you can find “boil and bite” mouthguards. The one-size-fits-all version is boiled in water and then bitten into so it can be molded to fit your child’s teeth.
While this type of mouthguard is better than nothing, there is a more efficient way to protect your athlete’s teeth and gums: a custom sportsguard from a dentist. Instead of using a generically made mold, the dentist will custom craft a sportsguard to fit your child’s teeth and bite. This lessens the chance of any sliding upon collision that could contribute to an injury. Furthermore, custom sportsguards allow for better shock absorption when there is a blow to the face.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy your child’s upcoming season without having to constantly worry about a dental emergency happening, then having a custom sportsguard crafted could be just what you need!
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati earned his dental degree from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his commitment to excellence by taking several hours of continued education in a host of treatment areas. Dr. Saati places an emphasis on prevention with all his patients, which is why he provides custom sportsguards at his private practice. He can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through his website.