Gear Up For Summer Activities
The April showers are over and, along with May flowers, we can expect to see more people playing sports and riding mountain bikes. These activities are a fun way to get outside and increase exercise, but they come with a risk to your pearly whites.
Dental emergencies are more common than you think, and dentists estimate that about 39% of them are the aftermath of sports injuries. You want to avoid being lumped in with that statistic at any cost. Mouth injuries can be exceedingly painful and result in lasting damage that costs thousands of dollars to fix.
Luckily, there are easy ways to prevent injury.
Mouth Guards: A Simple Fix to Keep Your Smile in Check
Dental protection is a good idea during spring sports like tennis, volleyball, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer. However, the main guidelines are to wear your mouth guard during any activity that involves:
- Risk of Fall
- Blows to the Head
- Flying Equipment
Besides the obvious effect of direct impact, the secondary force of getting hit can also lead to tooth damage. When your teeth tap together during the aftermath of a blow, the impact can break or chip your chompers. If you wear a mouth guard, this can help cushion the jolt.
Use a Helmet to Prevent Injury
Helmets can reduce instance of injury in up to 85% of cases, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Safe Kids also reports that only about 50% of children wear their helmets consistently when they ride their bikes.
While helmets are commonly thought of as a way to reduce head injury, they are also effective at protecting your teeth. During a fall, the jaw tends to bang closed, causing teeth to crash together and break. A helmet helps diffuse the blow. If you wear both a mouth guard and a helmet, you will be doubly protected against injury.
For bonus points, read over these bike laws and safety tips for the state of Colorado.
Get a Mouth Guard to Fit You
For best results, it’s a good idea to be fitted for a custom mouth guard at your dentist’s office. During your visit, your dentist will come up with a custom plan that suits your needs.
To make sure you and your family stay safe this summer, put a plan in motion prior to diving in to your summer activities. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us online or call 303-848-4929.