DENTAL CARE FOR SPORTS PEOPLE

Most dental casualties involve playground equipment, bikes, roller-blades, skateboards and trampolines.

At most risk

	Boys suffer twice as many dental injuries as girls.
	More prone to injury are kids with prominent teeth, protruding jaws and lips not covering the teeth.
	Kids at Christmas and birthdays when they get sports gear and gifts.

Avoiding dental injury

	Ensure kids wear custom-made mouthguards for sport and training.
	Supervise kids learning to ride skateboards, bikes, etc.
	Ensure you know what to do if a tooth is knocked out.

Mouthguards


All persons who are engaged in sporting activities where injury to natural teeth is a possibility can minimise the risk by wearing a mouthguard which should be professionally constructed and fitted.

	A mouthguard made by your dentist can lessen the risk of sports injury by up to 90%.
	A basic custom-made mouthguard is economical 'insurance' against costly, painful, stressful and maybe long-term injury.
	Mouthguards are comfortable, minimally affect breathing and speech - so you'll wear it - and not in your pocket!
	Mouthguards are custom-made to your mouth, so your dentist can add thickness where needed for extra protection.
	It's much more likely to stay in place on impact.
Source: Australian Dental Association Inc Brochure