If sports are a big deal with the children in your home, then gearing up for a new season includes getting fitted with the right footwear, helmets and uniforms. Surprisingly, many parents tend to overlook is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment—the mouthguard.
Mouthguards should be worn if the sport involves the risk of contact with any of the following:
- Stick
- Bat
- Ball
- Puck
- Even another child’s head or elbow
Mouthguards protect your child against injury to the teeth, as well to their head. They act as a shock-absorber, helping to cushion the head against sports-related concussions.
Even when sports teams require mouthguards, unfortunately, not every child actually wears them.
According to a Delta Dental Plan Association survey, only 7 out of 10 children wear their mouthguards during football games or at practices, and only 4 out of 10 children wear them for hockey practice or games.
Some sports don’t even require wearing a mouthguard, such as:
- Soccer
- Baseball
- Softball
- Basketball
Even if the sport does not generally REQUIRE a mouthguard, that does not mean that it is not beneficial for the athlete to wear one. Studies have shown that basketball players are 15 times more likely to sustain an oral facial injury than a football player! That’s certainly a good reason to wear a mouthguard.
As parents, we need to encourage our children to wear a mouthguard regardless of the sport. It should be an automatic part of every equipment list.
There are 3 types of mouthguards available:
- Stock—relatively inexpensive and come with a pre-formed shape. Since the fit cannot be adjusted, they are less effective than the other fitted options.
- Mouth-formed mouthguards—typically available at many sporting good stores, and can be molded to the individuals mouth by first boiling it in water to soften the plastic.
- Custom-made mouthguards— considered the best option but they are also the most expensive. They are made by a dentist using a mold of the teeth, so they do offer the best fit and protection.
If cost is a consideration, remember that any mouthguard is better than none at all!
This season, make safety a priority and outfit your sports star with a mouthguard. By making a mouthguard a priority on your sports safety list, your young athlete will reap the benefits of being well-protected.
For further information, visit us at www.deltadentalnj.com
- Facebook.com/deltadentalnjct
- Twitter: @deltadentalNJ
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/deltadentalnj
