Protect Your Pearly Whites This Spring
Now that the weather is getting warmer, our lives are getting sportier. Mountain biking and playing sports outdoors are great for staying active and enjoying the weather. Unfortunately, they’re also great for damaging your smile.
Dentists estimate that upwards of 39% of dental emergencies are a result of injury during sports. In addition to being painful, these injuries can cause long-term damage that requires expensive repairs. Do yourself a favor this spring and put measures in place to help protect your smile.
Use a Mouth Guard to Protect Your Smile During Spring Sports
Dentists recommend using dental protection for any sport that involves blows to the head or flying equipment. A blow to the face isn’t the only way to damage your teeth—wearing a mouth guard is also a good idea any time you run the risk of falling. When you fall, your teeth tap each other, and that force can cause them to chip or break.
Athletes should wear mouth guards during spring sports, including lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, soccer, and tennis. Take time to consider you chompers before getting your head in the game!
Riding Your Bike? Helmets are a Must!
According to the Safe Kids Worldwide organization, helmets are 85% effective at preventing head injuries, and they can also help protect your teeth. Falling of your bicycle can cause your jaw to slam shut, and wearing a helmet helps to displace the impact of the fall. It’s also a good idea for cyclists to wear mouth guards as an extra precaution.
Even though it’s an effective measure for reducing risk of injury, the Safe Kids organization reports that only 50% of children wear helmets while biking. To ensure that your child has a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime, protect them by making sure they wear their helmet every time they get on a bike.
For optimal safety, make sure you and your family are up-to-speed on Colorado’s bike laws and safety tips.
Talk to Your Dentist
Before you or your child gets started with their spring activities, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist about appropriate safety measures, like getting fitted for a custom mouth guard.
Remember, just because mouth protection is not required, doesn’t mean wearing it isn’t a good idea. If you have questions about mouth protection, do not hesitate to contact us.