Sports and Your Teeth

The possibility of getting injured while playing sports shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Athletic injuries to the mouth and teeth are very common, with 80 percent of them affecting the front teeth and surrounding soft tissues (lips, tongue, and inner cheeks). Our dentist near Mount Prospect wants to prevent this from happening to you with a few dental safety tips.

Mouth Guards

A mouthguard is the single most important piece of safety equipment for athletes to use to protect their teeth. Mouthguards can help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, and even tooth loss. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimates that athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are sixty times more likely to damage their teeth due to a blow to their faces. There are a variety of different kinds of mouthguards, but your best option is to have a custom-fitted mouth protector made by your dentist in Mount Prospect. These offer the most complete comfort and protection for your mouth.

Helmets

If you’re playing a sport with high impact and speed, like biking, hockey, skating, or football, helmets play a critical role in protecting your head and mouth. If they are fitted properly, they can reduce or prevent many serious injuries.

When to See Our Mount Prospect Dentist

Wearing protective gear will vastly reduce your chance of tooth trauma, but sometimes these injuries are unavoidable. If you find yourself in this situation, remember that time is critical for dental injuries. Even a tooth that has been knocked out can be saved if you see a dentist quickly enough. Don’t finish the game before seeking treatment. Transport the tooth in milk or saline-soaked gauze and head to your mount prospect dentist as soon as possible.

Every year over 5 million Americans lose teeth in injuries related to sports, and Kakos Smiles doesn’t want you to be one of them. If you or your child has a dental injury, contact us today. Our cosmetic dentistry experts are here to help.