Years ago you would see professional hockey players with no front teeth. It was kind of a badge of honor that they were fearless and were ready to be “checked.” Thankfully, we have learned a thing or two about protecting the face and mouth while playing any kind of sports from professional to little league. Protective equipment has been invented since those days, and wearing such equipment is non-negotiable. With kids and young people, parents need to be vigilant that they are wearing their safety equipment and that their school requires it. Here are 5 essential tips for mouth safety in sports.
Wear Mouth Guards
This is probably the best way to protect your pearly whites, gums, and even your jaw. The number of contact sports keeps rising with higher numbers of:
- Broken teeth
- Lost teeth
- Tissue trauma to gums and lips
- Teeth out of alignment
Anyone participating in a sport that involves contact with others, other implements like a hockey puck or baseball, should be wearing a mouthguard. If you take part in skateboarding, biking, or gymnastics, you would be wise to protect your mouth with a mouth guard.
Visit J.D. Robinette & Associates in order to obtain one that fits properly. They will make an dental impression of your mouth, so it will protect your teeth and gums. This is especially important for a young person wearing braces. Otherwise, you could experience headaches and jaw pain from an improper fit.
Pick the Proper Helmet
A helmet is invaluable for a number of reasons. Helmets can have a protective face shield connected which prevents damage to the head and neck. It will help absorb impacts from any falls. It can lessen the impact from a high velocity object that might cause someone to bite down hard enough to chip their tooth even if wearing a mouth guard.
Stay Hydrated
Refrain from energy drinks with lots of sugar contents. Choose one with electrolytes and potassium as it will protect the teeth and support muscle recovery.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene While Wearing a Mouth Guard
- Clean your mouth guard regularly and after every use to prevent the build up of bacteria which can lead to bad breath or even an infection.
- Allow the mouthguard to dry after each cleaning to prevent bacterial growth, and store it inside its container.
- Never share your mouth guard or use someone else’s.
- Take it with you to your dental appointments. J.D. Robinette & Associates can give it a deep cleaning and advise if the fit is still good.
Regular Dental Checks Keep Your Teeth Strong
Strong healthy teeth are less likely to get damaged playing sports.
Contact J.D. Robinette & Associates if you are playing contact sports for additional tips to protect your teeth and to get a customized mouth guard.
Sources:
Protect Your Teeth While Playing Sports | Dental Health Associates (dhamadison.com)
5 Expert Tips To Protect Your Child’s Teeth During Sports (carecredit.com)
Keeping Your Mouth Safe During Sports | Hidden Valley Ortho (hvortho.com)
