Footy, rugby, netball etc are all contact sports and whilst you get your children’s kits and boots and headgear ready, remember to take the time to think about protection for their teeth. It is so important that team members wear a professionally made mouth guard to protect from possible injury. Most people are aware that inferior and somewhat cheaper “do it yourself” mouth guards are available to buy at sports shops and pharmacies but beware, when making one of these for yourself or your child you are also taking a risk of damaging your mouth without even having an accident as the mouth guards that are made by the dentist and a laboratory have been made through taking exact impressions of your teeth and the shape of your mouth. With the “do it yourself” ones you basically have one shot at molding it around your teeth.
“But they are so expensive”
This is another thing I hear and I have to disagree as having a mouth guard made professionally is much cheaper than having a full mouth reconstruction done because one wasn’t worn!!!!
“his teeth are moving and changing all the time.. It’s not worth it”
Again this is another common misconception. Yes the growing mouth of a young person does change all the time but the dentist and laboratory take this into account and always allow for certain changes that they know will happen. This comes with knowledge and experience of being in the dental industry.
Another reason why professional mouth guards get over looked is that they get lost easily. With this in mind it is now possible to have the child’s name embedded into the guard before the material is set. Also they come in a case with the child’s name on.
Ian, the Mosman dentist. Dentist Mosman.
Image:Pixabay
