Mouthguards and other forms of face protection have been widely recommended by the American Dental Association since the 1990s. Dental-related injuries are one of the biggest risks individuals face when participating in any type of sport, recreational or not. So short answer, yes.
Here is a list of some sports in which mouthguards have been advocated by the ADA:
- Football
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Martial Arts
- Lacrosse
- Gymnastics
As you can see, the majority of sports have a risk of injury involving dental-related trauma.
What Are The Benefits of Wearing a Mouthguard?
Mouthguards can significantly help reduce dental trauma in children as well as their chance of sustaining a dental-related injury. The variety of injuries that can occur from a blow to the dental region can go from fractured teeth to a broken jaw as well as other dental traumas.
If Mouthguards Are So Important, Why Aren’t They Required More?
Many sports do not require mouthguards. There are a variety of reasons for this. One is that people may not be aware of the benefits of mouthguards. Another factor may be the cost of a mouthguard. Though they are integral to the safety of sports, sometimes it may not be in a team’s budget due to mouthguards lacking requirements. Here at Cumberland Valley Pediatric Dentistry, we highly recommend getting a mouthguard for your child if possible. Their dental-related health and safety is worth it! Though it may seem like a lot of money – the cost of repairing broken teeth or a worse situation could be much higher.
