The Importance of Mouthguards: Preventing Dental Injuries in Sports
Every year, thousands of children and adults suffer dental injuries that could have been prevented or reduced by simply wearing a mouthguard. The Australian Dental Association highly recommends using a mouthguard in any sport or activity where there is a risk of collision or facial contact. Dental injuries often occur during activities we least expect—so it’s always safest to play with a mouthguard.
Who Should Wear a Mouthguard?
High-contact sports such as rugby league/union, AFL, hockey, and boxing are obvious candidates for mouthguard use. However, any sport or activity with potential for facial impact—like cricket, basketball, netball, touch football, and soccer—poses a real risk of dental trauma.
Participants in contact sports know the risks and often protect themselves, but injuries can occur unexpectedly, especially in so-called “non-contact” sports.
The Damage from Sporting Injuries
Dental trauma may include nerve injuries, fractured, cracked, or knocked-out teeth, broken jaws, cut lips, and tongue injuries. Unfortunately, a single dental trauma can mean a lifelong need for restoration and dental work. Fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy may need to be replaced multiple times. Prevention is always best—wear a mouthguard and avoid a lifetime of dental problems.
Proper Protection for Your Mouth
Dr. Kaufman and the Australian Dental Association recommend a custom-fitted mouthguard for anyone playing contact sports or those with a high risk of mouth injury. Custom mouthguards, professionally made by Dr. Kaufman, are far more comfortable, and allow for easier speaking and breathing than ‘boil-and-bite’ mouthguards from a chemist or sports shop. Off-the-shelf guards are generic, may fit poorly, and can even increase injury risk if they move during impact.
Don’t risk your smile—make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman for a custom-fit mouthguard and keep your teeth protected.