When involved in high impact sports or vigorous activities, it is important to protect your mouth and teeth. This statement is backed by the fact that there are over 600,000 sports-related dental injuries treated in emergency rooms across the US each year according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
In addition to absorbing and distributing the forces that impact the mouth, teeth, face and jaws an athlete receives while participating in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, hockey (ice and field), skateboarding and wrestling, the American Dental Association (ADA), also recommends the use of custom mouthguards for other activities such as acrobatics, bicycling, handball, racquetball, skiing, and even weightlifting.
These facts make two things clear: (1) it is vital that you obtain a professionally made mouthguard that you wear during these types of activities and (2) that you also understand how this mouthguard protects you. Below are just a few ways.
- Lacerations. A custom-fit, professionally made mouthguard covers the sharp surfaces of the teeth to protect the soft tissues of the cheeks, lips, gums and tongue from lacerations that can occur from a blow or sudden jolt.
- Mouth Impact. Just as a mouthguard protects against soft tissue lacerations, it can also help prevent injuries to the jaws and teeth. This includes but is not limited to chipped teeth, fractured teeth, broken teeth and teeth that are partially or fully knocked out of their natural position.
- TMJ (jaw joint) Trauma. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can reduce the potential for jaw displacement and joint fractures by cushioning the jaws against damage from an impact.
- Direct Jaw Impact. Anytime a person receives a direct impact to his/her jaw, having a mouthguard in place may help prevent more serious injuries to teeth and jaws. This is especially important for anyone diagnosed with TMJ.
- Jaw Fracture. A custom-fit, professionally made mouthguard both absorbs and distributes impact forces so that jaws are protected. And it is this reduction in force that can help prevent the jaws from fractures.
- Under Chin Impact. Receiving a blow under the chin can obviously damage teeth; however, it can also cause damage to the jaws as well as inflame or cause TMJ issues.
You can learn more about mouthguards by continuing to read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Athletic Mouthguards.” Or you can contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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Patient Education
Archive:
- 2020
- May (7)
- You Don't Need to Pass a Football Like Patrick Mahomes to Remove a Loose Baby Tooth
- 3 Surprising Things You Should Be Doing to Improve Your Dental Health
- The Graduation Season is the Perfect Time to Review Dental Health
- These High-Tech Tools Help Your Veneers Look Attractive and Natural
- What Tara Lipinski Does to Protect One of Her Most Valuable Assets - Her Smile
- Diet and Lifestyle Changes Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- April (6)
- Friendly Bacteria Can Help Protect Our Mouths From Disease
- Dakota Johnson and Her Missing Tooth Gap Sparks Online Debate
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Child Feel More Comfortable Going to the Dentist
- Avoid Becoming a Dental Injury Statistic - Get a Custom Mouthguard for Your Young Athlete
- Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
- What You Can Do About Bad Breath (Unless You're a Famous Actress Pranking Your Co-Star)
- March (6)
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- Gum Disease Could be Affecting More Than Just Your Mouth
- Sedation Can Help Create a More Positive Dental Experience for a Child
- Listen to Ellen DeGeneres: Don't Think You Can Get Away Without Flossing!
- Give Your Child Added Protection Against Cavities With Topical Fluoride
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- February (6)
- Manage These Risk Factors to Reduce Your Risk of Tooth Decay
- Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
- You Don't Have to Live With Uncomfortable Cracked Mouth Corners
- Veneers May Not Be the Best Option for Your Teenager's Teeth
- See Your Dentist to Find out the Real Cause for Your Tooth Pain
- The Howie Mandel Effect: Avoid Dental Disease Through Daily Brushing and Flossing
- January (6)
- Tobacco: One Baseball Tradition We Can Do Without
- Fixed or Removable: Deciding Which Implant-Supported Bridge is Best for You
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- Even Celebrities Have Accidents: See What They Do to Restore Their Chipped Teeth
- Don't Worry About Dental Amalgam: It's Safe for Treating Cavities
- Avoid Permanent Tooth Alteration With No Prep Veneers
- 2019
- December (6)
- 3 Reasons Why Smoking Doesn't Mix with Dental Implants
- Miley Cyrus's Little Secret: Straightening Her Smile With Lingual Braces
- Your Smile Can Be Your Passport to the World - Take Care of It With These Tips
- It Takes Artistry and Skill to Achieve the Right Color Balance for Your Veneers
- Fluoridated Drinking Water Helps Curb Tooth Decay Safely
- NHL Iron Man Keith Yandle Suffers Dental Trauma on Ice
- November (6)
- Eating the Right Carbs Helps Keep Your Gums Healthy
- If Appropriate, Antibiotics before Implant Surgery Could Reduce Infection Risk
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- The Real Truth Behind Ed Helms' Missing Tooth in "The Hangover"
- Topical Fluoride Offers a Protective Boost to Children at High Risk for Decay
- Vaping Could Be Just as Harmful to Your Teeth and Gums as Smoking
- October (6)
- Behavioral Therapy Could Reduce a Child's Dental Anxiety Without Drugs
- How Veneers Restored Howie Mandel's Winning Smile
- Periodontal Maintenance Can Help You Avoid Another Episode of Gum Disease
- There Are a Lot of Bacteria in Your Mouth but Only a Few Mean You Harm
- Don't Delay Seeing the Dentist If You Suspect Gum Recession
- Hugh Jackman Is All Smiles for His New Broadway-Inspired Show
- September (6)
- Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
- Watch Out for These Dental Health Issues as You Age
- Don't Let Gum Disease Cut Short Your Implant's Service Life
- Your Dentist Might Hold the Key to Solving Your Sleep Apnea Problem
- 3 Ways to Correct Missing Front Teeth
- Look for These Basics When Buying Your Next Toothbrush
- August (6)
- Make Sure Your Kids' Teeth Are Ready for School
- "Tooth, Heal Thyself" May Soon Be a Reality
- Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
- How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy During Pregnancy
- Your Reoccurring Sinus Infections May Actually Be Caused by Tooth Decay
- Even All-Natural Fruit Juice Could Increase the Risk of Tooth Decay
- July (7)
- Bruins' Zdeno Chara Breaks His Jaw During 2019 Stanley Cup
- Don't Ignore Tooth Pain - You May Need a Root Canal
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- 3 Things You Can do to Help Promote Your Child's Dental Development
- Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
- Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- June (6)
- Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- Pop Star Demi Lovato Pops Out Jay Glazer's Tooth
- A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
- As Summer Heats Up, Be on Your Guard for Tooth Injuries
- Do This for Your Dental Health Before, During and After Cancer Treatment
- Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
- April (6)
- Stress and Nighttime Teeth Grinding
- A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
- Why You Should Floss Around the Implants Supporting Your Bridge
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- 3 Things You can Do to Ease Chronic Dry Mouth
- How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
- March (6)
- Nutrition for the Best Oral Health
- 4 Common-Sense Tactics to Lower Tooth Decay Risk Between Dental Visits
- People Born with Missing Teeth can Still Gain a Beautiful Smile
- NBA Player's Injury Points Out Need for Mouthguards
- A Pediatric Dentist Could be a Great Choice for Your Child's Dental Care
- 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- February (6)
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Becomes a Major Health Issue
- Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
- Have Your Loose Tooth Examined as Soon as Possible
- 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
- Legal or Not, Marijuana Poses a Health Risk to Your Gums
- Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
- January (6)
- 3 Reasons for Why It's a Smart Move to Invest in Dental Implants
- Keep up Regular Dental Care While You're Pregnant
- You may Need Orthodontic Treatment Before Obtaining Implants
- Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- Want to Keep Enjoying Winter Sports? Wear a Mouthguard!
- 2018
- December (6)
- Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
- Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
- Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
- Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
- November (6)
- Take Steps to Treat Chronic Mouth Breathing as Early as Possible
- Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
- Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
- Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
- Diabetes and Oral Health: True or False?
- October (6)
- To Prevent Tooth Decay, Practice Effective Brushing and Flossing
- NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
- Stop Root Cavities with Prevention and Prompt Treatment
- Eat the Right Kind of Carbs to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease
- Ease Your Child's Teething Discomfort with these Tips
- Janet Jackson: Even pop stars get insecure about their smiles!
- September (6)
- Make Efforts to Protect Your Teeth from Disease While Wearing Braces
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
- FAQs for National Gum Care Month
- 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
- August (6)
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Ease Your Child's Discomfort During Teething
- Treating a Child's Tooth Injury May Require Special Consideration
- Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
- July (7)
- Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
- A Child's Teeth Grinding is Normal - But You Should Still Keep an Eye on it
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
- Research Confirms: Dental Sealants Really Work!
- 4 Big Benefits for Beginning Early Dental Visits for Your Child
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- June (6)
- How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- June Is Men's Health Month
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
- That Small Mouth Sore is Likely Nothing - but Still Have it Checked
- March (5)
- Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
- Why the Bottled Variety Might not be Your Best Choice for Clean Drinking Water
- 4 Things You Should be Doing Now for Your Baby's Long-Term Dental Health
- Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child as Early as Possible
- Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
- 2017
- September (6)
- Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
- FAQs About Pediatric Dentistry
- Attention to Detail Crucial to a Beautiful Smile Supported by Dental Implants
- Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
- Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Threatens Your Dental Implant
- May (5)
- Clean Your Implants Just Like you Clean Your Natural Teeth
- Instill in Your Child the Daily Habit of Brushing and Flossing
- Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
- Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- April (5)
- Gum Disease Could Affect More than Your Teeth and Gums
- Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
- Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
- 2016
- March (9)
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Get Relief from Cracked Corners of the Mouth
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
- Although a Global Problem, Tooth Decay can be Prevented
- 3 Things to do to Prepare for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad
- Though not Always Seen, it's Still Important to Replace a Missing Back Tooth
- Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
- February (7)
- Advancing Gum Disease Requires Thorough Treatment to Control it
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
- Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
- The Time Interval to Replant a Knocked Out Tooth Can Affect its Longevity
- The Major Benefits of Early Childhood Dental Visits
- Can an App Help You Brush Your Teeth?
- 2015
- December (5)
- Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
- Implant-Based Removable Dentures a Good Choice for Patients with Extensive Bone Loss
- Treating Dry Mouth is Important for Maintaining Good Oral Health
- A Smile Makeover is a Transforming Experience
- Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
- June (5)
- Advancing Gum Disease Requires Your Dentist's Intervention
- Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
- Life-like Dental Porcelain Helps Restore Smiles Marred by Unattractive Teeth
- 'Prepless' Veneers can Transform Your Smile Without Altering Your Teeth
- What you can Expect if You're Undergoing Implant Surgery
- May (7)
- Take Positive Action with Your Child's Thumb-Sucking Habit
- America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
- Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
- Take Steps to Reduce Mouth Acid and Avoid Dental Erosion
- Although Rare, Allergic Reactions to the Metal in Implants Could be a Concern
- While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
- A Toothless Tiger?
- April (6)
- Tooth Bleaching: Test Your Knowledge
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- An Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea may be the Right Option for You
- TV's Nate Berkus Discusses Dental Sealants, Fluoride Treatments and Flossing
- Choosing Natural Tooth-Colored Fillings Over Silver
- Turn Back the Clock with Whiter Teeth
- March (8)
- A Future So Bright — Teeth Whitening Facts
- Follow in Vanna White's Footsteps and Replace That Missing Back Tooth
- Things you Should Know about Oral Cancer
- Chronic Biting Habits Can Lead to Loose Teeth
- Managing Gum Disease Could Benefit Other Conditions You May Have
- George Washington's False Teeth
- Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
- Eating Disorders Can Cause Problems With the Teeth and Mouth
- February (8)
- Your Gum Tissue 'Biotype' Could Determine How Gum Disease Affects You
- Spice Up Your Teeth
- Bonding with Composite Resins Ideal for Restoring Chipped Teeth
- There's a Battle Going On - And It's In Your Mouth
- Reduce Your Risk of Oral Cancer With a Healthy Whole Food Diet
- The Secrets Behind Vanna White's Smile
- Pay Attention to Gum Disease Warning Signs for an Early Diagnosis
- Test Your Knowledge: A Quiz on Dental Erosion
- 2014
- September (5)
- Saving a Baby Tooth is the Best Option for Permanent Tooth Development
- Removing Bacterial Plaque is Critical to Halting Advancing Gum Disease
- Be Extra Vigilant for Signs of Gum Disease During Pregnancy
- Kristin Cavallari's "Spaghetti Catcher" - First Step To A Winning Smile
- Your Dentist May Have the Solution to Your Snoring and Sleep Apnea
- April (5)
- Advances in Clear Aligners Make Them a Viable Choice for More Teens
- Oral Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention
- Considering Bone and Gums Critical to Achieving a Better Smile With Implants
- FAQs About Calming Your Fears With Oral Sedation Dentistry
- Implant Overdentures: a Marriage of Options for Lower Jaw Tooth Replacement
- 2013
- 2012
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