Do you have an athlete in the family? Whether you have a child playing after school sports or you compete in your own spare time, a custom made sports guard can protect teeth from getting chipped, broken, or avulsed (knocked out of the socket). Lake Forest family dentists Drs. David Schmidt and Tracey Hughes offer custom-made sports guards for children and adults alike that engage in sports.
THE FACTS ON SPORTS DENTAL INJURIES
Three of every four American households with school-aged children have at least one child participating in sports. That does not count adults competing in their sport of choice on a recreational level.
Athletes have a higher risk of a dental injury than you might think. According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, athletes have a 10 percent chance of a facial injury in each season of competition, as well as a 33 to 56 percent risk of this type of injury at some point in their playing career.
Dental sports injuries usually occur due to a collision, either with another athlete or a piece of equipment like a thrown ball, a hockey stick, or a helmet.
Considering that most athletes compete at high levels of activity and speed, these collisions often cause serious injuries, such as:
- Avulsion, the clinical term for a tooth knocked out of its socket
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Damage to dental restorations
- Suffering damage to tooth roots
- Injuries to soft tissues of the mouth, such as the lips, cheeks or tongue
- Broken or dislocated jaw
PROTECT YOUR TEETH WITH A SPORTS GUARD
Walk into any store selling sporting goods, and you can find a selection of sports guards. Even a high-quality store-bought one, such as a “boil and bite,” cannot equal the quality of the customized sports guards at Lake Forest Smiles. We fabricate our sports guard from the finest materials. We also customize each sports guard, using unique impressions of your mouth. When you receive a sports guard from Lake Forest Smiles, it will fit well, is comfortable, and will provide you with maximum protection from dental injury while engaging in sports.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
If your sports guard begins to show signs of damage, contact Lake Forest Smiles to replace it. Children and teenagers participating in sports also may need new guards as their jaws grow.
Follow these tips to take good care of your sports guard:
- Clean it after each use in cool water and toothpaste
- Keep your sports guard dry between uses
- Store your guard in a sturdy container that is vented so that it is exposed to the air and remains dry
- Never leave your guard in the sun or immersed in hot water
- Keep your guard out of the reach of your pets
CUSTOM SPORTS GUARDS IN LAKE FOREST, LAKE BLUFF, AND LINCOLNSHIRE
Make sure a mouthguard is part of the required list of equipment for any athlete in your family. To obtain a custom sports guards, schedule a consultation at Lake Forest Smiles by calling (847) 234-4800. Drs. David Schmidt and Tracey Hughes have been providing elite dental care to the communities of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire for more than 30 years. We welcome you to our practice.