Custom Mouth Guard for Student Athletes in Novi Michigan
Do your kids have the proper protection for their teeth and jaw while playing sports? It’s an important question to consider. Losing a tooth is a big deal and can make your student athlete self-conscious, will make some words difficult to pronounce, and makes taking a bite out of a slice of pizza or an apple very difficult.
According to the American Dental Association, “A properly fitted mouth guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can protect your teeth
and smile.” The American Dental Association and the National Academy for Sports Dentistry recommend that you wear a well-made, properly fitted mouth guard in any recreational sport that has “the potential to seriously harm the head, face or mouth as a result of head-to-head contact.” In other words, a mouth guard is essential in any contact and collision sport to protect your child’s mouth and smile.
But, the list compiled by the American Dental Association does not stop there. Their list recommends the use of a mouth guard if you participate in at least 29 different sports, from aggressive contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing and wrestling to sports you may not have considered such as acrobatics, gymnastics, surfing and skydiving.
A mouth guard can also protect more than your mouth. A recent study published in the May/June 2014 issue of General Dentistry showed that a properly fitted, custom mouth guard can also reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries. In the study, it was determined that high school football players who wore over-the-counter store-bought mouth guards were more than twice as likely to receive mild traumatic brain injuries compared to those who wore properly fitted, custom-made mouth guards.
Consider a few other facts:
- The boil-and-bite mouth guards are bulky and uncomfortable
- Generic boil-and-bite mouth guards are easily chewed through becoming ineffective very quickly
- Custom-made mouth guards match the exact structure of the athlete’s mouth giving them a more comfortable and secure source of protection
- Unlike the over-the-counter mouth guards, custom mouth guards are designed for air-flow to make breathing easier
A custom-made mouth guard fits better and more comfortably, enabling your student athlete to concentrate on the sport, not their discomfort, while at the same time keeping them safe when taking a hit to the mouth or jaw. For your own peace of mind, talk to Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Jaffe when it comes to the safety of your child’s teeth and mouth.
For additional information, call 248.374.2273.