PLAY SAFE WITH CUSTOM ATHLETIC MOUTHGUARDS

August 20, 2020

With classes starting again at local schools, we know that the start of the fall sports season will be here soon. For that matter, winter sports will be practicing before we know it, too.

That’s makes this a good time to remind athletes of all ages to play hard and play safe. After all, we want you to keep your winning smiles long after you leave the field or the court.

So, we hope you will visit our team in Jacksonville, FL soon to get custom-fitted athletic mouthguards for your family. Call 904-348-0416 to make an appointment at River Oaks Dental.

PROTECT YOUR SMILE

Each year, an estimated 3 million teeth are injured during youth sports, according to the American Dental Association. The two sports that cause the most dental injuries might not be the two you expect, either. Basketball and baseball are the sports cause the most dental problems for youth, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Both of those organizations and other professional dental groups recommend that anyone who plays a high-impact sport should wear a mouthguard for practices and competitions.

Some of these sports, such as football, already require protection mouthguards. (This is also why they report fewer dental injuries than other sports.)

So, who should be wearing mouthguards? If your sports involves changing speeds or directions, jumping, physical contact with other players, throwing or catching objects, or any combination of those things, then you are playing a high-impact sport.

Injuries can be the result of collisions between participants, being hit with a ball or other object, or a fall. Having a mouthguard is like wearing a seat belt in your family car. It won’t stop an accident from happening, but it can minimize the damage if something does happen.

CHOOSE BETTER PROTECTION

The kind of mouthguard you wear makes a difference, too.

Stock mouthguards can be uncomfortable to wear. They come in standards sizes, which may or may not match the shape and size of your mouth.

Boil-and-bite mouthguards are found in many stores. These are a step up from stock mouthguards. However, they can be bulky. This can make them uncomfortable as well. These can interfere with your ability to speak, and some people find breathing can be difficult because of the size of these mouthguards.

At our Jacksonville office, you and your loved ones can get custom-fitted mouthguards. These offer better protection (much like a five-point harness offers better protection than the standard seat belt in a family vehicle) than the boil-and-bite style.

Since these are smaller, you can speak, breathe, and drink without having to remove the mouthguard. They are also more comfortable, which means you are more likely to wear it when you take the field.

ENJOY THE GAME

Sports should be enjoyable to play. Wearing the right protective gear — including athletic mouthguards — makes it more likely you’ll be able to keep playing for a long time.

Let us help you and your family stay in the game. Visit River Oaks Dental soon. Call 904-348-0416 or contact us online to request an appointment.