Expensive Injuries from Contact Sports Can Be Prevented by Wearing Mouth Guards

Oral or dental trauma is not only painful to the mouth but can also have a painful effect on the wallet. Children and adults involved in contact sports or any other sporting activity thankfully have methods available to prevent dental trauma from befalling them. They can also adopt certain measures to keep themselves better prepared against accidents of any kind.

Estimates are available that nearly 30 million children are involved in organized sports in the United States. Being involved in sporting activities helps build the children’s confidence and physical endurance but the risk of an inherent injury is just around the corner in many sports. It has been reported by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that approximately 10 to 39% of childhood injuries are related to sports. It would be impossible to completely remove all the risks from sporting activity but it is suggested that children and adults minimize the risks of sports injuries and the severity with proper protective gear in the form of mouth guards.

The Costs of Sports-related Dental Injuries Is Higher Than the Cost of Mouth Guards

The most severe form of sports injury to the mouth is a knocked-out tooth. Estimates have been provided by the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation that the cost of long-term treatment for a knocked-out tooth can be approximately $ 5000-$ 20,000. These treatments could be in the form of dental implants, replacement teeth, follow-up appointments at the dentist’s office and missed work or school time. Compared to the cost of replacing a knocked-out tooth having mouth guards as a part of athletic gear will certainly prove as an affordable option.

When Should a Mouthguard Be Considered?

If you are involved in an organized sporting activity or contact sports you should make a mouthguard and essential piece of your athletic gear from an early age. Dental injuries can happen even in non-contact sports such as gymnastics and skating but the risks are higher in sporting activities like boxing. If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment and have braces in your mouth or fixed bridgework you should consider a properly fitted mouthguard is a requirement because an impact to your face can damage the braces or any other fixed orthodontic appliances. You can discuss with your dentist about providing you a mouthguard that will offer the right protection.

Types of Mouth Guards You Can Consider

The best mouthguard is one that is custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, it is possible that you may not be able to afford one because of the higher prices charged. However, if you are unable to afford a custom-made mouthguard you can still consider wearing a stock mouthguard or a boil and bite mouthguard which can be purchased from a drugstore. Let us look at the best options that are available for your safety.

• Stock mouth guards. These are inexpensive and have been pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, the fitting is not always the best because they can be bulky and cause difficulties when breathing.
• Boil and bite mouth guards. These mouth protectors can be purchased at most sports goods stores and drugstores and offer a better fit compared to stock mouth guards. However, they need to be boiled in water to be softened before inserting in the mouth and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. Instructions provided by the manufacturer must be followed before using them and some varieties of a boil and bite mouth guards have been accepted as safe even by the American Dental Association.
• Custom-made mouth guards. These are custom-made for your mouth by your dentist. This is the most expensive version but is also one that offers you the best protection. These are usually created for fit and comfort and are often recommended by dentists for children and adults involved in physical activities that can cause dental trauma to their mouths.

Regardless of the type of mouthguard chosen you must understand that an inexpensive variety is unlikely to provide you a high level of protection. Yes, the boil and bite mouth guards are certainly better than the stock mouth guards but the best will always remain a custom-made mouthguard by your dentist even though it may cost you some extra money. You must consider it as a safeguard against spending thousands of dollars on expensive dental work which will, unfortunately, befall you if you decide to ignore the need for protection for your mouth. Dentistry in NE, Calgary, certainly does not suggest you adopting such measures because of the problems that can affect you at any time without warning and suggest that you visit Huntington Family Dental for custom-made mouthguards to prevent expensive injuries from contact sports.