Spring has almost sprung in Seattle, which means more kids’ sporting activities, and recreation time (and stunts!) is just around the corner.
So, what does this mean to kids (and parents)? Dental injury season is officially starting.
Whether it’s knocked out, fractured, or cracked, over 5 million teeth will be damaged this year during sporting and recreational activities. According to the American Dental Association the bill to fix this year’s sports related dental injuries will run over $500 million.
What Sports Should Kids Wear Mouth Guards?
So, what sports and activities cause the most dental mayhem to kids’ mouths? It might be easier to list those that won’t damage their teeth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends wearing a sports mouthguard for all kids & teens participating in any organized sports activities. And the American Dental Association (ADA) also recommends wearing a properly-fitted mouth guard for many non-organized recreational activities too.
Top Sports That Can Damage Kids’ Teeth
- Basketball – Whether it’s an organized or a pick-up b-ball game, it just takes an elbow, a fall, or a ball to the face to cause serious dental damage. In fact, according to one study basketball is now the highest ranked sport for dental injuries, especially for kids between 7-17 years old.
- Baseball – A broken tooth can take anyone out of the old-ballgame. Between the bat, the ball, running and tagging, there are a lot of ways the game of baseball can damage a smile. Again, whether it’s an organized event or just playing with friends and family, this sport offers the highest incidence of dental trauma for kids between 7-12 years old.
- Soccer – It’s a foot focused sport, but it can damage plenty of smiles too. Getting a soccer ball kicked to your face hurts, and it can also harm your teeth. A Texas study noted that high school soccer players had higher dental injury rates than football players.
- X-Treme Recreational Sports – – Have a daredevil in the family? Any sporting activity that involves stunts and thrills will offer a high risk of tooth damage too. Skateboarding, snowboarding, roller skating, BMX or Cross-Country Biking are just a few of the ways a stunt loving person in your family can damage their teeth.
Our Custom Sports Mouth Guards
Fortunately, tooth damage from sports doesn’t need to be a part of your family’s legacy. Wearing one of our custom designed sports mouth guards can save your kids’ smiles from long-term dental damage, and reduce your financial pain too.
Unlike the boil and bite mouthguards you can buy at the store, our custom sports mouth guards are designed to comfortably fit each patient’s unique teeth and jawline. They feel good, so they won’t interfere with your kid’s game. And they look good too, with several different color choices.
Add a custom sports mouth guard to your family’s protective sporting gear – they work just as well for adults too!
Ask us about our sports mouth guards during your next visit. If you don’t have an upcoming visit already scheduled, just call (206) 242-0066 request an appointment or reach out to us online to make your appointment!
