Now that the spring season is here, many of our school-aged patients will be suiting up to play baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other outdoor sports. This is a great time for us to remind all our athletic patients and their families of how very important it is to protect your teeth when playing sports or while participating in any activity that poses a risk of injury to the mouth.

Unfortunately, thousands of sports-related accidents occur every year in the U.S. when school-aged kids are playing their favorite sports. Their injuries are often caused by player-to-player contact and hard falls.

Wear A Protective Mouth Guard

One of the best things you can do to protect your mouth while playing sports is to wear a protective mouth guard. These mouth guards are inexpensive pieces of safety gear that provide protection to the mouth and teeth by cushioning blows. For those of you not wearing braces, there are several types of mouth guards you can choose from which can be found at most sporting goods stores. However, we recommend having a mouth guard made just for you by your dentist using an impression of your teeth. This type of mouth guard will fit well, provide your mouth and teeth with good protection, and make it easy for you to breathe and speak.

For those of you with braces bonded to your teeth, you should wear a special mouth guard that is made just for orthodontic patients. This type of mouth guard fits snugly over your appliances to protect your face, lips, teeth, and braces in case of a hard blow or fall. You can find mouth guards for braces conveniently online and they come in many fun colors, sizes, and designs.

Take Your Mouth Guard With You

Once you have your mouth guard, make sure you take it with you when you head to practice and games. The last thing you want to happen is to forget your mouth guard and sustain an injury. While your Merced and Fresno orthodontist enjoys seeing you when you come into our office for your regular appointments, we want to help you avoid an injury that requires us to repair or replace your braces.

Do Not Forget To Wear A Helmet

It is very important not to forget to wear a helmet when playing spring sports like softball and baseball regardless of if you are playing in your backyard or at school. A helmet will help absorb the energy of an impact to protect you against serious head and face injuries. Just make wearing protective gear a part of all the spring sports you take part in so you can avoid serious injuries to your head, face, mouth, and teeth. If you have any questions about how to protect your smile, please do not hesitate to CONTACT US as we are always happy to speak with you!

Contact Us With Any Questions!

If you are looking for a Merced or Fresno orthodontist for yourself or your child, we welcome you to Orthodontics Exclusively where we help children, teens, and adults get the healthy and attractive smiles they deserve! Simply contact us at one of our TWO CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFFICES or BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE. We look forward to meeting you soon and helping you achieve the smile of your dreams!