Houston students are almost back in school, which means fall sports will soon begin. Did you know that sports-related injuries to the mouth and jaw are among the most common among athletes? When you have braces, it is critical to protect your smile while playing sports due to the increased risk of oral injuries, including mouth lacerations, if you are hit by a ball or another player.
There is always the risk of injury when participating in sports like basketball, football, hockey, skateboarding, soccer, martial arts, wrestling, boxing, and even track and field.
In fact, even non-contact sports or recreational activities can increase the risk of laceration injury when braces are worn. As a result, West U Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics recommends mouthguards for all patients who participate in sports.
What exactly is a mouthguard?
A mouthguard is a shock-absorbing appliance made of flexible material that fits over all of the top teeth to help protect the teeth and lower jaw from breaking and prevents you from accidentally biting your lips, tongue, or cheeks. A strong blow to the face could result in mouth and joint injuries.
While wearing braces, you can participate in any sport, but your risk of laceration injury increases. There are many different types of mouthguards, but only a few are recommended for those of you who have braces. The main distinction is that an orthodontic mouthguard must fit snugly and be removable or flexible to adjust or be adjusted to fit over braces.
Reduce Injuries
Reduce your chances of getting a mouth injury while playing sports. Ask us about mouthguards at your next appointment.
