The season is here and the kids are on the sports fields again. Pediatric Dentists in Carlsbad learned the National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety reported dental injuries as the most common type of injury during sports participation. Our child athletes are 60 times more likely to sustain oral damage without a protective mouth guard. Even worse, some of these injuries will result in permanent damage. The most commonly reported are damage to oral structures, such as chipped or broken teeth, fractured crowns or bridgework, lip and cheek injuries, root damage teeth and fractured jaws.

It is up to us to protect our children with a mouth guard to prevent these types of injuries. A mouth guard is a soft plastic or laminate device, which fits securely in the mouth and prevents injuries to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw. Amazingly, the use of a mouth guard can easily prevent over 200,000 oral injuries each year. Even if our children wear helmets, it is important they also use a mouth guard.

Fortunately, mouth guards have become mandatory in sports like football, hockey and boxing, as they have a higher risk of injury. Contact sports like basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, soccer and volleyball would also benefit from wearing a mouth guard, due to accidental collisions.

Pediatric Dentists in Carlsbad suggest one of three different kinds of mouth guards. They vary in comfort, fit and cost here in Carlsbad CA. Unsure of what type is best for your child, contact Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry at 760-633-1131, and alleviate any concern of mouth injury woes.