Athletic mouthguards protect teeth

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Brooks
  • 7th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  At Dyess AFB, the dental clinic routinely treats patients for mouth related injuries endured during sporting events.

Injuries sustained have varied from a small chip on a tooth to lip lacerations to completely knocking out several teeth.

An athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth when not using a mouthguard.

Mouthguards come in three types: stock, boil and bite, and custom. Custom mouthguards are preferred because they fit more comfortably and are the least restrictive of speech and breathing.

The Dyess Dental Clinic promotes the use of mouthguards when engaging in both contact and noncontact sports such as football, basketball, skateboarding, wrestling, martial arts, skiing and racquetball.

Custom mouthguards are advisable for both youth and adults.

Treating sports related dental injuries can cost thousands of dollars and require much time spent in the dental chair, so wearing an inexpensive mouthguard is a worthwhile investment.

For more information or to make an appointment, call the Dyess Dental Clinic at (325) 696-2304.