Mouth guards should be on every parent’s back to school list if they have kids who play sports. As summer comes to an end and practices for sports like volleyball and football begin, Dr. Kent Kuball and his team at Parkview Dental encourage patients to consider a mouth guard for children as they participate in sports!
Basics about Mouth Guards~Mouth guards for sports are made of hard plastic or silicone that can be molded to your bite These U-shaped mouth guards generally are only used on upper teeth. However, if you have special dental work, such as braces, it might be a good idea to wear one over lower teeth as well. A mouth guard should also fit comfortably in order to best protect the teeth and mouth. Mouth guards are used in sports like other pieces of athletic equipment. They come with cases and need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Clean the mouth guard after each use with toothbrush and warm water to keep it in top condition through the season.
Why to Wear a Mouth Guard~Protection while playing sports is essential, regardless of how young or old you are. The presence of a mouth guard can help protect your child from any of the following possible injuries:
- damage to the mouth, teeth and gums
- cuts to the mouth, tongue or lips
- fractures to the face
- nerve damage
Another important way that mouth guards offer protection is from concussions. A mouth guard can absorb some of the impact from being hit in the face or the head. A recent video from Hutchinson Health shares more about concussions and the preventing head injuries.
Mouth Guards for All Kinds of Sports~Mouth guards aren’t just for kids who play football. It’s recommended that children wear mouth guards for the following sports – among others – because there is high incidence of blows to the face and mouth, teeth clenching, falling and the risk of serious injury due to contact. The American Dental Association has recommended mouth guards for kids and adults playing sports like:
- wrestling
- soccer
- softball
- hockey
- football
- gymnastics
- basketball
- volleyball
It’s important to keep in mind that these are just some of the sports where a mouth guard can help protect your teeth and gums. If a sport is extreme or if you feel that your child would be well served by a mouth guard, better safe than sorry! If you or your child needs a mouth guard in order to safely participate in sports, Dr. Kent Kuball and his team at Parkview Dental would love to help you out! Call us at 320-587-2726 to make your appointment!
