Sports and Tooth Injury Prevention

There is no completely "save" sport or leisure activity for your teeth. For example, water sport accidents are the most common dental emergency. A slip or bump and teeth are broken severely injured or knocked out completely.

Protective pads for games and sports activities are worn all over the body. A survey by the Association of Orthodontists found that 70 percent of parents do not have their child wear a mouth guard for sports. An active child falling on a hard surface is not a pretty thought. The damage can be for a lifetime. We believe a mouth guard should be standard safety issue and required equipment for every sports participant.

Mouth guards come in 3 varieties:

1. $2-$20 - Off the shelf at your drug store
2. $20-$60 - Bought at sporting goods stores or large department stores;
3. $75-$100 - custom-made and available through your dental office.

The custom-made mouth guard is the only one to provide the full protection you need. It fits better and feels more comfortable in your mouth, so you will use it more and it lasts many times longer.

We hear often that a mouth guard is ugly or is uncomfortable. On the other hand, when a tooth is lost due to an injury it can cost thousands of dollars over the person's lifetime to repair the damage. A mouth guard is really the best equipment you can buy.

Contact our Encino Dental Office and schedule an appointment so we can get you and your family fitted for a mouth guard. A custom mouth guard helps your beautiful teeth and smile last a lifetime.