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| While
most people associate youth injuries with rambunctious boys, research
indicates that oral injuries occur as frequently in girls as they
do in boys who participate in sports such as basketball and soccer. Young athletes who sustain damaged or dislodged teeth, fractured jaws and lacerated lips frequently end up in dental offices or hospital emergency rooms. Yet, many of these injuries are preventable if a mouthguard is used. Mouthguards also may help prevent concussions, injuries to the jaw joint and neck injuries that result from a severe blow to the head. Despite strong evidence that mouthguards reduce the number of oral injuries in football, other sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball and volleyball often do not require their use. Compliance with mouth protection rules in women's sports has not kept pace with women's increasing involvement in those sports. Girls and women need to take responsibility to protect themselves. Protecting your mouth is important whether you are participating in an organized sport or just joining a volleyball game on the beach. Many recreational activities can seriously harm the head, face or mouth as a result of head-to-head contact, falls, teeth-clenching, or flying pieces of equipment. All young athletes, female and male, may wish to visit their dentist's office to have a mouthguard custom-fitted to wear during organized or casual sports. Custom-fitted mouthguards are more comfortable than ready-made mouth protectors or a mouth-formed thermoplastic "boil and bite" protector from a sporting goods store. A custom fitted mouthguard made by your dentist allows you to breathe and talk freely while playing. If you or your child are participating in athletic activities, check with your dentist for advice on the most appropriate form of mouth protection. |