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Do your children participate in sports? If so, then as a parent, you can’t help but be concerned about injuries. Every time a collision happens, you cringe a little bit because you’re thinking about all the bad things that could arise from it. One part that concerns you, especially, is their mouths. You don’t think enough emphasis is placed on protecting them, and you’re probably right. That’s why your dentist in Oak Hill recommends that you take the proactive approach and get your children fitted with custom mouthguards. But first, he’ll explain why they’re so important and what can happen when they’re not worn.

THE BENEFIT OF HAVING A MOUTHGUARD

The main benefit of a mouthguard is that it absorbs shock. Think of the bumper on your car. On most models, it is made of plastic, similar to the flexible material used to make a mouthguard. Therefore, if you are involved in an auto-accident, it will collapse when your vehicle makes contact with another. The beauty is that when it collapses, it is absorbing thousands of pounds of pressure that could otherwise be transferred to you as the driver.

A similar scenario plays out when your children are running around playing sports. When they collide, it’s quite similar to two vehicles striking each other, and their custom mouthguards act like the bumper on your car, absorbing hundreds of pounds of pressure that could otherwise be transferred to their teeth.

THE DANGER OF NOT WEARING A MOUTHGUARD

The main danger of not wearing a mouthguard is for there to be a collision and the force to be withstood by the teeth. This can cause a dental emergency, where the following can happen:

• Dislodged Tooth – A tooth can be knocked out from direct force to the mouth or jaw. This can also lead to infection, as the sensitive gum tissue housing the tooth will be exposed.
• Broken/Chipped Tooth – This is a serious situation too, that can cause severe pain and bleeding.
• Laceration – When there is no mouthguard to protect your children’s mouths, blunt force can allow the lips and other soft tissue to rub against the teeth and cause serious bleeding.

A mouthguard offers a simple and easy way to prevent these problems from manifesting. Take the proactive approach by reaching out to your dentist today, to get your children fitted for a custom mouthguard and relieve some of your worries.

About the Author

Dr. Jack Fan received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at San Diego and then went on to earn his Doctorate at New York University College of Dentistry. He next completed his General Practice Residency at LIJ Medical Center in Queens. A member of the American Dental Association and several other professional organizations, Dr. Fan practices at The Dental Centre and can be reached for more information through his website.