How do you maintain a healthy mouth? The first things that come to mind are probably brushing, flossing, and getting regular dental cleanings. You might also think of diet factors such as limiting sugary drinks and getting enough calcium.
When men and women are quizzed about preventative dental care, they rarely mention athletic mouth protection. But it’s a biggie.
Don’t Be a (Grim) Statistic
Did you know that over five million people per year experience tooth injury playing sports? Many of those injuries cause a tooth to be completely knocked out. Ouch!
Not only is it painful and traumatic, but a knocked-out tooth is also time-consuming and expensive to restore.
An Indispensable Part of Your Sports Gear
An inexpensive sports mouth guard can protect teeth during sporting activities. At Marcos Ortega DDS, we advise our patients to include mouthguards as an essential part of their sports gear. That’s right. Your mouthguard should be in your duffel along with your shinguards and helmet.
Mouthguards work:
Starting in 1962, high school and collegiate football players were required to wear face guards and mouth protectors. Since this requirement, the percentage of orofacial injuries in football has dropped from approximately 50% to one-half of 1%, depending on the study cited.1 https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/professional-education/ce-courses/ce127/statistics
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry counsels parents have children use mouthguards for all organized sports. That means gymnastics, skiing, and lacrosse—not just basketball, football, and wrestling.
Kids who complain about wearing mouthguards are more likely to wear one if it is comfortable and custom-fitted. If you or your youngster participates in sports, meet with us about custom athletic mouthguards. It may be the most important dental decision you make this year.
Remember, if anyone in your family has a dental emergency, call Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-295-4545 ASAP!
Contact Marcos Ortega DDS:
619-295-4545
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
306 Walnut Ave Ste 25
San Diego, California
92103