This is the time of year when many young people are preparing themselves for the “big game.” Whether it be football, baseball, wrestling, or some other activity, sports play an integral role in many kids’ lives. Sports also present a prominent risk for injury. For this reason, coaches and organizations advise players to wear protective gear. Many of the kids who are gearing up for a Fall season of sports are doing so with a custom-fit mouth guard.
A mouth guard is an appliance that is fit over the teeth. The common assumption is that a mouth guard is intended to protect the teeth and tongue in the event of a contact injury. A good mouth guard, however, is also made to reduce the risk of concussion and trauma to the jaw. Because a mouth guard is capable of more extensive protection, it is necessary to choose your child’s gear wisely.
Types of Mouth Guards
- Boil-and-bite. This is, unfortunately, one of the most commonly used types of mouth guards. A boil-and-bite mouth guard is convenient. Made of thermoplastic material, this mouthpiece can be softened in boiling water and then, when cool enough, shaped to teeth. The problem with this is that many people perform this modeling at home. Without oversight from a dentist, the fit of a commercial boil-and-bite mouth guard is not likely to be sufficient for tooth or jaw protection.
- Stock mouth guards are pre-formed and therefore very easy to insert. They are inexpensive, but a low cost may be all they have to offer. A pre-formed mouth guard is usually bulky, which prevents adequate oxygenation during sports (which inhibits performance). This mouth guard, while thick and cumbersome, usually lacks the thickness that is needed to protect the jaw muscles and joints.
- Custom-made. Most custom-made mouth guards take a week or two to make after a dentist has accurately measured the bite. Dr. Frey has developed a comprehensive mouthguard system called The Zone Mouthguard that measures a person’s ideal bite during sports. This unique measuring technique is based on neuromuscular dentistry principals that optimize both protection and physical performance. Best of all, The Zone has been developed to provide ease and affordability. It’s so easy; it can be made right in on the bench or in the dugout.
Don’t send a player onto the field or court without sufficient tooth and jaw protection. Learn more about The Zone Mouthguard by calling our Beverly Hills office.
Sports are popular among men and women of all ages, not just youth athletes. Now that we are entering a new school season, we expect to see a surge in dental emergencies related to oral injuries on the field, court, or other sports venue. The likelihood of any sports-related injury does not inhibit most people’s desire to play. What is important to know is that this likelihood is somewhat within each player’s control.
Protective gear is meant to reduce the risk of sports-related injuries. The question to ask is whether or not the equipment provided is adequate for this goal. Often, commercial mouthguards simply don’t live up to the best standards. You want to know this because . . .
- The highest percentage of teen dental injuries occur during sporting activities.
- Each year, approximately 5 million teeth are injured or knocked out.
- More than 600,000 of the emergency room visits that take place each year involve an oral injury or broken teeth.
- It is estimated that almost 40% of dental injuries are sports-related.
- There are 3 times more dental and facial injuries attributed to sports than are to auto accidents.
- It has been estimated that almost half of all young people will experience a dental injury before college.
These are good enough reasons to consider wearing a custom-fit mouthguard. But there’s more. Statistics also suggest that:
- Mouthguards prevent an estimated 200,000 facial and tooth injuries each year.
- Injuries to the top front teeth are significantly decreased when a custom mouthguard is worn.
- The risk of tooth injury is 60-times LESS when a mouthguard is worn.
The key to injury prevention is consistency in wearing protective gear. In many cases, athletes report forgetting to insert mouthguards, or choosing not to wear them. Why would they do this? Often, it is because the oral appliance is bulky and uncomfortable. Athletes need an oxygen uptake for performance and safety. If a mouthguard prevents heavy breathing, it is not going to be worn. We see this time and time again, even in professional athletes at a high risk for injury.
Seeing the need for a custom-fit product at an affordable price point, Dr. Frey developed The ZONE™ Mouthguard, which can be made right on the field! Learn more about this innovative development at 310-276-4537, or pick up yours at a local Dick’s Sporting Goods.