With the bulk of our dentists being UK alumni (go Wildcats!), and with our office here in Lexington, you can imagine that a lot of us are pretty big sports fans. Sports are a regular part of life for many of us, especially this time of year. That’s especially true for families who have kids that are involved in basketball, football, hockey, and even horseback riding. With all the fun and games, though, are you and your kids doing what it takes to prevent dental injuries? Sure, you have all the gear like helmets, but what about mouthguards?
Take a look at some critical information below on protecting your family’s smiles with custom mouthguards from Beaumont Family Dentistry. If you don’t have a custom guard, call 859-223-2120 for an appointment.
Get the Facts on Sports-Related Dental Injuries
You might have taken precautions by buying your athletic kid a mouthguard at a sporting goods store or online. We applaud you for that! It’s amazing how many people we see on a regular basis who come in with dental injuries because they didn’t wear a sports guard at all. And the range of activities is wide. It has included:
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Football
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Lacrosse
- Hockey
- Skateboarding
- Wrestling
- Horseback riding
According to some estimates, as much as a third or more of dental emergencies are from sports! Research also shows that people participating in sports who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer a dental injury! Mouthguards that fit well have even provided protection against jaw injuries and concussions. And it’s possible that up to 200,000 teeth injuries are prevented every year just for football players who wear mouthguards.
With statistics like that, it’s no wonder young athletes are encouraged to protect their smiles. And permanent teeth never grow back, so it’s even more critical to ensure they stay where they’re supposed to – in their mouths.
Get the Facts on Custom Sports Guards
To protect the athletes in your family, it’s important to consider these aspects of any mouthguard used:
- A good fit, which will keep the mouthguard in place even during contact or a fall
- Comfort, since an uncomfortable mouthguard discourages the athlete from wearing it and can even distract them while playing if they do keep it in
- Durable material, which will protect the mouth better
- Proper speech and breathing
- Optimal performance, even during different temperatures
All of the above are reasons why it’s usually best to have a dentist create a custom mouthguard. Here at Beaumont Family Dentistry, we take precise measurements and consider the specific sport in order to create high-quality, well-fitting mouthguards. Our mouthguards ensure a custom fit and withstand falls, collisions with people or balls, and more.
So while boil-and-bite sports guards are probably the next best option, the ADA has even reported that no commercial guards have reached all their standards for injury prevention.
Why take a risk with your loved ones’ smiles? A custom-fit mouthguard costs far less money than repairing or replacing teeth, and far less pain and embarrassment than permanent dental damage.
Help Is Available If You Do Have a Dental Emergency in Lexington
Even with a great mouthguard, it’s not always possible to prevent dental injuries during sports. For that matter, it’s not possible to prevent every dental emergency. Our trusted team is here for you should you or your kids ever need urgent dental care. In most cases, we’ll get you in the same day you call. If a lost tooth is involved, don’t hesitate, as the time frame to reimplant it is very short. We even have after-hours and weekend emergency dentists for truly urgent situations.
Aside from our same-day appointments, patients appreciate a few other things about our urgent care:
- Same-day CEREC crowns for broken or damaged teeth
- Multiple tooth replacement options
- Three levels of sedation, even one that’s safe for young kids
- Top technology to ensure a proper diagnosis
- Comforts like blankets, pillows, and headphones
Make an Appointment Today
Your family can prevent dental injuries with help from Beaumont Family Dentistry. For custom mouthguards, call our Lexington, KY office today at 859-223-2120 or reach us online. We have three locations to serve you.