It has been reported that up to thirty-nine percent of orofacial injuries are related to trauma from sports activities. While many mistakenly believe that this only pertains to football, blows to your face in many other sports have resulted in injuries to the teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that in seven through twelve-year-olds, baseball and softball account for the most injuries. In athletes 13 years and older, basketball has the highest rate of dental injuries. This is no coincidence as studies confirm that requiring mouthguards decreases the percentage of orofacial injuries. While high school and college football players are mandated to use mouthguards, most baseball and basketball players are not. While mouthguards are not mandatory for baseball, the potential for injuries from balls, bats, and collisions with other players, make mouthguards a wise choice for players. Basketball, with its fast-paced dynamic, crowding and collisions(especially elbow jabs to the face) also puts its player’s teeth at risk for a blow to the mouth, and mouthguards can help mitigate this damage. They also absorb the energy from the impact of falls which force the lower teeth into the maxillary teeth.
A properly fitted mouthguard is a crucial piece of athletic gear that protects a player from injury in a number of ways. First, it provides a barrier to soft tissues that helps prevent cuts and bruises during impact. It also absorbs the shock vibration that can cause fractures and damage to the neck and jaw joints, as well as injuries to the brain. A mouthguard helps prevent tooth fractures, periodontal ligament trauma, partial tooth displacement, and tooth loss. Since it provides a barrier between opposite teeth, it offers protection from opposing forces. This protection extends to more than just contact sports. Mouthguards can help protect your child in gymnastics, in-line skating, skateboarding, soccer, volleyball, bicycling, and any other athletic activities that pose a risk for orofacial injuries.
Please note that the key phrase in that sentence is “properly fitted.” A mouthguard that does not cover all of your teeth and some of your gums will leave you at risk of injury. Mouthguards that fit loosely will not distribute collision forces as well as those that are custom fitted. A mouthguard that is too big or bulky, uncomfortable, and/or impedes your child’s ability to breathe properly will most likely not be worn at all. The more comfortable the mouthguard, the more likely that your child will wear it. Whether your child uses a boil and bite mouthguard from a store or a custom mouthguard from his or her dentist, make sure that they bring their mouthguard to each dental checkup to be evaluated for damage and effectiveness.
Dr. Stephen Petras
An Illinois Licensed Dentist