Sports and Dental Injuries

Participation in organized and recreational sports poses a great risk of dental injuries. Dental injuries are one of the most common types of injuries sustained by athletes. They are also one of the most preventable types of sports-related injuries. Wearing a well-fitted mouthguard is the best defense to preventing sports-related injuries.

Types of Dental Injuries:

• Lacerated or cut lips, cheeks, tongue
• Bruised lips, cheeks, tongue
• Broken, fractured or dislocated jaw
• Broken or fractured teeth
• Shifted or knocked out teeth

Mouthguards:

• Reduce the chance of a dental injury
• Reduce the severity of a dental injury
• Are available in sporting goods stores
• Can be custom-made by your dentist

Helpful Tips for Protecting Your Smile:

• If the sport requires any type of protective equipment to be worn, include a mouth guard
• If balls, sticks, pucks or physical contacts are involved, wear a mouth guard
• Wear a mouth guard during games and practices
• Mouth guards should fit comfortably and allow for easy breathing and speech