Did you know that most dental injuries caused in sports are preventable? With the proper protective wear, dental injuries from sports could be significantly reduced.

As it stands, during a single sports season, athletes have a 1 in 10 chance of suffering a facial or dental injury. In fact, 13-39% of all dental injuries are sports-related. In Ontario, treating dental injuries caused by sport costs between $3.2 – $4.98 million per year.

Are you wondering which sports are most likely to cause dental injury? Find out below.

These numbers are significantly reduced by the use of a mouthguard. In football, the use of a mouthguard and facemask reduces the risk of dental injury to less than 1%. Still, players do not routinely wear mouthguards.

Many players forgo wearing mouthguards due to poor fit and bulkiness, but there are many options that can provide a more comfortable experience. Custom made mouthguards take an impression of the teeth and provide the most comfortable fit. They are much more preferred than ready-made mouthguards which could interfere with breathing and speech. If you don’t want a custom made mouthguard, you can discuss the option of a mouth-formed mouthguard. Heating the plastic in warm water and biting into it forms this type of mouthguard, creating an impression of the teeth.

Make an appointment with Dr. Heidary at Desired Smiles to discuss how you can protect your teeth while still enjoying all the sports you love!