Talk to your Seattle dentist about sports guards

Do you or your children play sports? Talk to your Seattle dentist about the importance of protecting your teeth.

With the interest in fitness and sports, an ever-increasing number of individuals are participating in a wide range of sporting activities. While fast moving contact sports such as football, rugby, ice people-men-grass-sport-mediumhockey, martial arts and basketball are considered the highest risk for facial and head injuries, soccer, field hockey, baseball, racquetball, and squash also have the potential to cause dento-facial or temporomandibular injuries.

The CDC reports the amount of reported concussions has doubled in the last 10 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics has reported that emergency room visits for concussions in kids ages 8 to 13 years old has doubled, and concussions have risen 200 percent among teens ages 14 to 19 in the last decade. 1 out of 3 boys and 1 out of 4 girls will suffer from a dental injury before they finish high school.

Concussion symptoms are not always obvious. The symptoms can range from very mild to very severe lasting days to weeks or even longer. Physical symptoms can be dizziness, vomiting, nausea, balance issues, sensitivity to noise and light, blurred vision, headache, unequal pupils, and seeing flashing lights, www.headcasecompany.com.

The statistics are depressing, but we have good news aside from stopping all physical activity and living a sedentary lifestyle. First and foremost, make sure you or your child is wearing a protective helmet during all appropriate activities. Helmets are not concussion proof, but they can reduce the risk of concussions and related trauma.  Often overlooked by kids and their parents are a properly fitted athletic mouth guard. This is where your Seattle dentists, LeCuyer and Amato can help.

 

A properly fitted mouth guard will reduce the injury to the teeth and surrounding soft tissue by sports and sport-related activities. This is true for adults also. Not all athletic mouth guards are created equal. The ADA worked with ANSI/SAI developing a standard for athletic mouth protectors and materials in 2009. Be sure that your athletic mouth guard meets the standards set forth by the ANSI and SAI standards for impact attenuation. A recent study showed that no commercially available athletic guards meet this standard, unless they have the ADA seal of approval. Whether you are a kid, teenager or adult; if you play contact sports, it is in your best interest to have a custom athletic guard made by your local Seattle dental professional. Call us today to schedule at 206.626.5400.

One thought on “Talk to your Seattle dentist about sports guards
  1. Avatar for Amato Dental Group

    You have really touched a good topic here, many of us ignore sports guards while playing sports like football, hockey or boxing where injury to face and specially teeth is very common. I am also trying to spread awareness about dental problems and oral hygiene, if you get time do visit my site too at http://www.toothdecayandoralhygiene.com and share your views and comments.

    Reply
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