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Posts for tag: sports dentistry
Nearly everyone who has ever played a sport, or had a child participate in one, has had that panic-filled moment when they witness an injury. And when you consider that there are more than 22,000 dental injuries each year in children younger than 18 years of age, you see there is fact to backup this concern. This is just one reason why we strongly encourage all of our patients who are involved in activities such as football, soccer, hockey, wrestling, lacrosse, skateboarding, field hockey and more to wear one of our custom-fitted professional mouthguards. It is especially true for basketball and baseball, which are responsible for the largest number of dental injuries.
The following are some key issues to help you understand the importance and advantages mouthguards offer.
Is there a way to determine who is at the highest risk for sports injuries?
Yes there are several. Age, gender, dental anatomy, and the type of sports being played are the four categories used to measure the risks for dental injuries. Young male teens still top the list of most likely to be injured; however, the gap is closing with more females getting involved in sports. Learn which sports or exercise activities made the American Dental Association’s list of recommendations for using a custom mouthguard, when you continue reading “Athletic Mouthguards.”
What's the difference between a “boil and bite” mouthguard and a professionally made mouthguard?
We are often asked this very important question. While some over-the-counter (OTC) mouthguards provide what is advertised as a “custom-fit” to your teeth, it is nowhere near the fit — and thus protection — you receive from our mouthguards that are crafted from precise molds of your teeth. Additionally, because all aspects of our mouthguards are tailored to each specific mouth, they provide much more protection and comfort. This important fact can enhance performance as the athlete can literally breathe easier while wearing one of our mouthguards.
What can I do if I witness a dental injury?
The first important fact to know is that you do not have to be a dental or healthcare professional to assist. However, before jumping in to help out, consult Dear Doctor's Field-Side Guide to Dental Injuries. This pocket-sized, quick-reference guide details what you should do at the scene of a dental injury based on the type of injury. But best of all, it is available to you free of charge from Dear Doctor.
Want to know more?
Contact us today to discuss your questions or to schedule an appointment.
A recent study revealed that on average there are 22,000 dental injuries in children under the age of 18. This alarming reality makes it clear that parents, caregivers, and coaches need to understand the risks for dental injuries so that they are best equipped to prevent them...or at least be prepared to manage one should it occur. The four most common categories for measuring risks associated with sports injuries are:
- Age: Age is an important factor when accessing risk. Sports-related dental injuries tend to spike during the teenage years. Recent research shows that children under the age of 13 tend to not be injured as often.
- Gender: Gender is probably the second most influential factor. The facts are that males top the list for experiencing dental injuries during sports or vigorous activities. However, more and more females are playing highly competitive and contact sports or activities; thus, their risk of injury is increasing.
- Shape and position of your teeth: Both the condition and positions of the teeth affect their risk of injury. More prominent or “buck” teeth are considered a higher risk for injury than teeth in a more normal position. Furthermore, 80% of all dental injuries involve the upper front teeth.
- Sports type: This last category is the one most often asked about, as parents, caregivers and athletes want to know which sports or activities have the highest risks for dental injuries. And while baseball and basketball top the list, the American Dental Association (ADA) has put together a comprehensive list of sports and activities. To review this list, read the Dear Doctor article, “Athletic Mouthguards.” The ADA also urges athletes to wear professionally-fitted mouthguards to protect against dental and facial injuries.
Knowing the above categories can help you assess your risk for a dental injury while playing in a sport or recreational activity. To learn more about sports-related dental injuries, read, “An Introduction To Sports Injuries & Dentistry.” Or if you have a traumatized, damaged, chipped or missing tooth from a sports or any other type of injury, contact us to discuss your situation or to schedule an appointment.
When involved in high impact sports or vigorous activities, it is important to protect your mouth and teeth. This statement is backed by the fact that there are over 600,000 sports-related dental injuries treated in emergency rooms across the US each year according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
In addition to absorbing and distributing the forces that impact the mouth, teeth, face and jaws an athlete receives while participating in sports such as baseball, football, basketball, hockey (ice and field), skateboarding and wrestling, the American Dental Association (ADA), also recommends the use of custom mouthguards for other activities such as acrobatics, bicycling, handball, racquetball, skiing, and even weightlifting.
These facts make two things clear: (1) it is vital that you obtain a professionally made mouthguard that you wear during these types of activities and (2) that you also understand how this mouthguard protects you. Below are just a few ways.
- Lacerations. A custom-fit, professionally made mouthguard covers the sharp surfaces of the teeth to protect the soft tissues of the cheeks, lips, gums and tongue from lacerations that can occur from a blow or sudden jolt.
- Mouth Impact. Just as a mouthguard protects against soft tissue lacerations, it can also help prevent injuries to the jaws and teeth. This includes but is not limited to chipped teeth, fractured teeth, broken teeth and teeth that are partially or fully knocked out of their natural position.
- TMJ (jaw joint) Trauma. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard can reduce the potential for jaw displacement and joint fractures by cushioning the jaws against damage from an impact.
- Direct Jaw Impact. Anytime a person receives a direct impact to his/her jaw, having a mouthguard in place may help prevent more serious injuries to teeth and jaws. This is especially important for anyone diagnosed with TMJ.
- Jaw Fracture. A custom-fit, professionally made mouthguard both absorbs and distributes impact forces so that jaws are protected. And it is this reduction in force that can help prevent the jaws from fractures.
- Under Chin Impact. Receiving a blow under the chin can obviously damage teeth; however, it can also cause damage to the jaws as well as inflame or cause TMJ issues.
You can learn more about mouthguards by continuing to read the Dear Doctor magazine article “Athletic Mouthguards.” Or you can contact us today to schedule an appointment.
One question we are most often asked by parents of athletes or those who participate in physical sports is, “Do mouthguards really work?” And when we respond, “yes,” a common follow-up question is, “Is there any scientific evidence to support this claim?” Based on this scenario, we feel it is important to provide you with some interesting and evidence-based facts on this topic.
The first reported use of mouthguards was in the sport of boxing. And because participants and bystanders in the 1920s quickly witnessed their effectiveness even back then, the trend's popularity grew to the point that boxing became the first professional sport to require them. However, other sports soon started following this lead — especially those high-contact sports. The American Dental Association (ADA) started mandating the use of mouthguards for football in 1962 and the US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) currently requires mouthguards for football, ice hockey, lacrosse and field hockey. The ADA has since expanded their recommendations to now include 29 different sports and exercise activities. So now that you know more about the professional organizations pushing the use of mouthguards, let's get back to the second question, “What's the evidence?”
There have been numerous studies over the years regarding the properties of mouthguards, and more specifically their shock absorbing capabilities. Other studies have been based upon their protective abilities due to their stiffness, hardness and strength. This research has enabled us to vastly improve upon the effectiveness of mouthguards. For example, years ago latex rubber was a popular material used to create mouthguards. However, today we use products such as ethylene vinyl acetate or polyurethane because they are far superior in durability and flexibility. And impact studies have shown that the chances of fracturing teeth is dramatically reduced when wearing one of these mouthguards...especially when compared to individuals wearing no mouthguard at all. In fact, research has revealed that by not wearing a mouthguard during physical sports or exercise, individuals are 60 times more likely to experience an injury to the mouth and/or teeth.
To learn more about the importance of protective mouthguards, continue reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Athletic Mouthguards.” Or you can contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss your questions about mouthguards.
Our Office
Edward C. Joseph, D.D.S.
Burbank, CA 91505
Our Blog
Archive:
- 2019
- July (7)
- You May Need to Postpone an Upcoming Dental Visit if You Have Shingles
- How Dentists Provide Your Child the Benefit of X-Rays as Safely as Possible
- How Early Dental Visits Can Improve Your Child's Oral Health
- 3 Things You Can do to Help Promote Your Child's Dental Development
- 4 Affordable Ways to Transform Your Smile for a Once-In-A-Lifetime Moment
- If You're Older, be on the Lookout for Root Cavities
- Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- June (6)
- Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
- As Summer Heats Up, Be on Your Guard for Tooth Injuries
- Do This for Your Dental Health Before, During and After Cancer Treatment
- A Detailed 'Smile Analysis' Sets the Stage for a Successful Makeover
- Affordable Veneers Can Give You a New Smile
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- May (6)
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
- Manage Your GERD Symptoms to Prevent Enamel Erosion
- Simple Steps to Follow if Your Child has a Toothache
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- April (6)
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Gum Disease Could be Affecting More Than Just Your Mouth
- Get a Look at Your Future Makeover Look Now with a 'Trial Smile'
- Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
- Transforming Your Smile with Veneers, Step by Step
- April Is National Facial Protection Month
- March (6)
- Here's How to Manage School Snacks and Your Child's Dental Health
- You Don't Have to Live with a Gummy Smile. Here's How We Can Change it!
- March Is the Time to Evaluate Sleep Problems
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- A Dental Exam Could Uncover an Eating Disorder
- Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
- February (6)
- Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
- 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- 3 Age-Related Dental Problems and what you can do About Them
- Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- Recessed Gums Could Endanger Your Teeth
- Finding the Right Solution for Your Gummy Smile
- January (6)
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
- Orthodontics Could be in Your Smile Makeover Plan
- Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
- Want to Keep Enjoying Winter Sports? Wear a Mouthguard!
- Enhance Your Smile for that Special, Once-in-a-Lifetime Day
- 2018
- December (6)
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- New Year, New Smile
- Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
- Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
- November (6)
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
- 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
- Dentures are Still a Viable Choice for Tooth Replacement
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Help Restore Lost Tissues Around Teeth
- Gum Surgery Can Improve Your Smile and Save Your Teeth
- October (6)
- Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking by Age 4
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Ease Your Child's Teething Discomfort with these Tips
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- September (6)
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- FAQs for National Gum Care Month
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
- August (6)
- Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- July (7)
- The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
- June (6)
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Gum Infection Around Tooth Roots Calls for Immediate Action
- 2017
- December (5)
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
- 3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Feel at Home at the Dentist
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- Air Abrasion Could be a More Pleasant Alternative to the Dental Drill
- May (5)
- Complications from Missing Teeth Could Limit Your Replacement Options
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Techniques for Keeping Impacted Canine Teeth from Spoiling Your Smile
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- April (5)
- An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Plan Ahead to Make Your Smile the Best it can be for Your Big Day!
- Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
- You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
- January (5)
- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
- Restore a Flawed Tooth in as Little as One Visit with Composite Resin
- You Should Brush and Floss Around Your Implant to Ensure its Longevity
- Keep a Lookout for These Soft Tissue Conditions in the Mouth
- 2016
- November (5)
- 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
- Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
- September (5)
- Make Efforts to Protect Your Teeth from Disease While Wearing Braces
- What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- June (5)
- Crown Lengthening Opens up New Teeth Restoration Possibilities
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
- 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- May (5)
- Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
- Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
- Weigh a Poor Smile's Emotional and Social Cost when Considering Restorations
- March (5)
- Removable Dentures Remain a Viable Option for People with Total Tooth Loss
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Test Out Your Future Look With a 'Trial Smile'
- 2015
- December (5)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- Three Considerations for Working with Your Dentist on Your Smile Makeover
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- 2014
- August (5)
- Dental Hygienist - Your Partner in Preventing Disease and Maintaining Oral Health
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Replace Missing Teeth to Prevent Other Teeth From Moving Out of Place
- Taking Precautions Before, During and After Implants Will Help Ensure Success
- Conscious Sedation can Make Your Child's Dental Visit More Pleasant
- 2013
- December (5)
- Do Clear Orthodontic Aligners Really Work?
- Dental Amalgam Fillings Remain a Safe and Reliable Tooth Restoration Option
- Monitoring Blood Pressure is Important for Both Your General and Oral Health
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- New Permanent Teeth - Faster Than Ever!
- October (5)
- Are You an Athlete? Here Are Five Reasons You Should Wear a Mouthguard
- Dental Implant Maintenance: 5 Facts You Should Know
- Advances in Clear Aligners Make Them a Viable Choice for More Teens
- Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
- Implant Overdentures: a Marriage of Options for Lower Jaw Tooth Replacement
- 2012
- August (7)
- Tooth Brushing: Don't Overdo It!
- American's Obsession With Bad Breath
- Top 5 Advantages of Dental Implants
- Factors that Can Influence a Dental Implant
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- Child Star Nolan Gould Talks About Tooth Extractions, Orthodontic Treatment
- How Does Tooth Bleaching Work?
- 2011
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