Girls Sports – Consider a Mouthguard to Protect that Cherished Smile

As your daughter progresses to the more advanced levels of sports play, the “game” most definitely becomes more physical. Equipping her with the proper attire and protective gear therefore becomes much more important.

Besides the obvious such as proper footwear, consider goggles for lacrosse, shin guards for field hockey, active ankles (ankle guards) for volleyball, chest protectors for fastpitch softball, and so on. For many sports, the necessity of a mouthguard is all too often understated or forgotten all together.

When considering the consequences of a kick or hit smack dab in the area of the mouth however, adding a mouthguard to the uniform suddenly takes on new significance. Replacing adult teeth is no small procedure and should not be taken lightly. The process can be complicated, time consuming, costly, and painful, not to mention embarrassing and deflating to young girls. So what are you waiting for?

Here is information and advice from respected expert and North Shore dentist Dr. Michael Wasserman:

“Dental injuries are the most common type of facial injuries sustained during participation in sports. Various degrees of injuries may occur including laceration, tooth fracture and dislocation, fractured jaws as well as concussions. Approximately 200,000 injuries per year are prevented by the use of mouth guards.

A properly fitted athletic mouthguard must be protective, comfortable, tear-resistant with excellent retention, fit and sufficiently thick. Today, over 90% of mouthguards purchased are over the counter stock guards. Although they are the most common and least expensive they lack the qualities to provide the effective protection your athlete deserves.

Over the counter stock guards are bulky, lack retention, and have poor protecting properties. Without the proper fit and thickness, lifelong sustaining injuries can occur. The best way to provide the least chance of orofacial injuries is to have a custom made, form fitted mouthguard supplied by your dentist. The public deserves the best quality of care in injury prevention. Dentists can address and fulfill all the necessary criteria for a properly fitted and protective guard that will have the least effect on speech, no effect on breathing, and the proper thickness to avoid unnecessary dental injuries.”

Isn’t it worth protecting that cherished smile? Just do yourself a favor and have a discussion with your dentist about a mouthguard for your athlete next time you happen to be paying a visit.

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Mike Wasserman, D.D.S., a general dentist with a family practice in Highland Park, Illinois offers his Port Clinton Dental patients a unique combination of skill, esthetics and compassion. His practice is dedicated to dental excellence helping each patient achieve the smile they’ve always wanted and offering preventive dental services to create and maintain their oral health.

Dr. Wasserman completed his dental education at the prestigious Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry where he received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1991. Dr. Wasserman also completed an Advanced General Dentistry Program at Northwestern University before starting his practice in Highland Park in 1992. Prior to dental school, Dr. Wasserman completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at Indiana University.

Dr. Wasserman has taken post-graduate coursework in cosmetic dentistry, as well as ceramic and veneer restorations with experts from across the county bringing his patients the most advanced techniques available.

Mike Wasserman, D.D.S. at PortClintonDental.com, 847-432-1416.

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Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 4:06pm EST