<< Back

How to Play it Safe While Playing Sports

April 20, 2021

April is National Facial Protection Month. All organized sports athletes and recreational sports players should wear mouthguards to help protect their teeth and beautiful smiles!

Did You Know?

• Athletes are 60 times more likely to get a dental injury if they don’t wear facial protection.
• More than 5 million teeth are broken or knocked out every year.
• Research shows 13  percent to 39 percent of all dental injuries are sports-related.
• Many injuries can be prevented or made far less severe by wearing a mouth guard.
• It’s important to wear a comfortable, well-fitting mouthguard that resists tearing, is easy to clean and doesn’t restrict your breathing.
• Mouthguards should be part of every athlete’s standard equipment.

Mouthguards

·      There are three types of mouthguards:

• Custom-made by your dentist (best one).
• Boil-and-bite.
• Commercial mouthguards.

Taking Care of Your Mouthguard

• Take proper care of your mouthguard so it’s ready when needed and will last a long time.
• Brush the guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste before and after each use.
• Clean it regularly in cool, soapy water and rinse it well.
• Store and transport your mouthguard in a sturdy container.
• Don’t chew on the mouthguard and don’t wear a removable retainer with it.
• Be sure to replace it when it shows signs of wear and tear.

Helmets and Face Shields

• It’s also important to use protective equipment like helmets and face shields.
• Helmets absorb a lot of the energy from an impact and help prevent damage to your head.
• Face shields help protect your eyes from flying objects like hockey pucks and racquetballs.

So remember to play it safe and enjoy all of your favorite sports this summer!