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Mouthguards aren't just for adults! |
Remember to add a mouthguard for each child to your list of school supplies. Protecting your child's head, jaw and teeth, even for seemingly non-contact sports, is very important.
"Mouthguards not only protect the teeth," says Dr. Ian McConnachie, a pediatric dentist and former president of the Ontario Dental Association. "They may also prevent concussions and other serious injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw and teeth are forced up against the upper teeth and jaw."
Sports Canada reports that overall, 69 percent of Canadian youth participate in organized sport. In any sport, whether it's full-contact hockey or a friendly game of racquetball, a little preparation can prevent costly and sometimes painful mistakes later on!
Who should wear a mouthguard?
Anyone playing contact sports or engaging in aggressive activities should wear a mouthguard.
Any sport with a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces requires mouth protection. Players, who participate in basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, squash, racquetball, lacrosse, rugby, in-line skating and martial arts, or even recreational sports such as skateboarding and bicycling, should wear mouthguards when practicing or competing.
Many athletes resist wearing a mouthguard because of bulkiness and poor fit. Custom-made mouthguards are the most comfortable, non-bulky and form-fitting. This leads to increased use and fewer injuries.
Article extracted from Ontario Dental Association website
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