Generally, in order to prevent dental injury, you should be on the lookout for the following:
- High risk contact sports
- Sports with potential for impact
- Appropriate protection e.g. head gear, mouth guards
Specific sport guidance
Contact sports are typically dialled back for children, helping to protect them from injury at a younger age. Some sports will always carry a greater risk of dental injury however and it is participation in these that should warrant the use of protective gear.
Boxing and other combat sports are typically thought of as higher-risk sports due to the type of contact involved. Because of this there are measures enforced to protect children as they get involved. Mouth guards and headgear are always worn when contact is anticipated, such as during sparring sessions, but a mouth guard should probably be worn at all times during training.
Rugby and hockey are other sports that require mouth guards and even head gear or face protection at times. Children playing these sports will usually play adapted versions to help protect from injury, but if taking part in full training ,then the correct level of protection ought to be worn.
The physical, contact-heavy nature of rugby greatly increases the chance of damage to the jaw and, therefore, teeth. Hockey is sometimes overlooked, but it certainly entails a high injury risk. Mouth guards should be worn at all times. Face protection should be equipped for penalties and, if playing keeper, then full body protection and a face cage is required.
In general, there are three types of protective wear for face/dental protection. These are:
- Mouth guards
- Head guards
- Face cages
NHS Mouthguards are arguably the most common form of protection for teeth when playing sports. By correctly moulding to a participant’s jaw, they ensure a good fit and provide an impact-resistant layer. Note: the quality of the mouth guard can make a big difference – the fit must be checked over time as the child grows. Properly moulded-to-fit mouthguards ensure that the guard fits perfectly around the child’s teeth and are the only option that should be considered for proper protection.
Head guards are typically used in sports that involve more contact, such as judo and boxing. These are great for absorbing impacts to the head and jaw, helping to lessen the blow to the teeth. Face-cages are a step further still and are only regularly used in sports with a ball/object that can potentially damage the face, such as baseball or hockey.
Read More at
NHS & Private Dentist Wolverhampton, Claregate Dental Practice
High Street Dental Burntwood, NHS/Private Dentists, Cannock
Dentist Poole – Neighbourhood Centre Dental Practice, Canford Heath
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