The weather is getting warmer and it’s time for mountain biking and spring sports. Are your teeth properly protected?
Dentists estimate that up to 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports. A majority of dental injuries affect the front teeth, but tongue and cheek damage is also a common problem we see.
How Can You Protect Your Teeth?
If you experience a sports injury that affects your mouth, it’s important to speak to your dentist. Even if it seems like a minor chip or crack in a tooth, it’s better to have it taken care of before further damage occurs.
The best way to prevent a mouth injury is to wear proper safety equipment.
- Mouth Guards: Wearing a mouth guard is often the best way to prevent injury to your lips, tongue and teeth.
- Helmets: If you are involved in a sport that involves high speed or risks impact, you should be wearing a helmet. This includes everything from riding a bike, to playing football or hockey. Your helmet should properly fit. Many kids don’t tighten their helmets enough, so it’s important to teach them how to properly wear one.
Seriously, Wear Your Helmet!
Biking is a great way to get outdoors, burn some calories and challenge yourself. But too often we see bikers who don’t wear a proper helmet and end up injuring their head or mouth.
While it is not required by law in Colorado to wear your helmet, it’s really a no-brainer that you should be wearing one. In children, 30% of oral injuries occur from riding a bike, and it is also estimated that only about 50% of children actually wear a helmet.
If you are a serious biker, you may also want to consider a mouth guard, as it provides added protection to your teeth.
Learn more about biking safety in Colorado Springs.
Talk to Your Dentist
If you or your child is going to be participating in a sport, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist about preventative safety measures. You can also talk to your dentist about getting fitted for a custom mouth guard. Have questions? Contact us.