Dentists Stress the Importance of Wearing Mouthguards for Youth Sports

Athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries

As spring and summer youth sports kick into full swing in central Ohio, area dentists are reminding kids and parents about the importance of wearing mouthguards, especially for contact sports. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who do not wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries than those who do. In fact, 39 percent of dental injuries in children ages 7 to 17 are sports related.

Youth sports can be physically demanding and involve contact between players, which increases the risk of injury. Mouthguards can protect against dental injuries such as chipped or broken teeth, as well as injuries to the lips, tongue, and jaw.

“Failure to wear a properly fitted mouthguard while playing sports can lead to various levels of orofacial trauma,” Dr. Kyle Bogan, DDS, North Orange Family Dentistry said. “Over the years, I have seen patients with injuries ranging from chipped teeth that simply required smoothing to more complex fractures of both the teeth and jaw bones that required treatment including root canals, fillings, crowns, and surgery. It is not uncommon for traumatized teeth to require extraction in more severe cases.”

Use of a properly fitted mouthguard while playing sports can prevent or significantly reduce the risk of a number of oral and facial injuries including:

• Dental injuries such as fractured, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Without a mouthguard, a blow to the face can cause significant damage to the teeth and gums.
• Soft tissue injuries to the lips, tongue, and cheeks. Without a mouthguard, a blow to the face can cause cuts, bruises, and other types of soft tissue damage.
• Jaw injuries such as a fracture or dislocation.
• Concussions: While not directly related to the mouth, the shock-absorbing qualities of a properly fitted mouthguard can help distribute the force of a blow to the head and reduce the risk of concussion.

It is important for athletes to wear a mouthguard that fits properly and provides adequate protection to minimize the risk of injury and maximize performance.

North Orange Family Dentistry works with youth athletes to make custom fitted sports mouthguards that fit securely to the teeth with better ability to speak and breath during activities. For more information on best dental practices, visit https://www.northorangefamilydentistry.com.