Bedford, NS — With Nova Scotia children and youth back at school and into another season of organized sports, the Nova Scotia Dental Association (NSDA) is reminding parents and young athletes that a mouth guard should be considered an essential piece of protective equipment for sports where there is a risk of injury to the mouth or face.
From hockey and lacrosse to basketball, soccer, baseball and rugby, sports-related accidents can result in chipped, fractured, displaced or knocked-out teeth, as well as injuries to the lips, cheeks, tongue and jaw. Many of these injuries can be prevented or reduced in severity with the use of a properly fitted mouth guard. The Canadian Dental Association recommends mouth guards for contact sports and notes that custom-fitted guards are generally more comfortable and more likely to stay properly positioned during activity.
“Parents spend a lot of time making sure their children have the right helmet, skates, pads and other protective equipment for their sport,” says Dr. James Brunt, President of the Nova Scotia Dental Association. “A mouth guard deserves the same attention. A dental injury can be painful, expensive to repair and, in some cases, affect a tooth for the rest of a young person’s life. Wearing a properly fitted mouth guard is a simple step that can help protect a child’s oral health.”
For hockey players, the risk is particularly obvious. The Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League know firsthand the importance of protecting athletes on the ice and make mouth guards part of their equipment routine.
“Hockey is a fast, physical game, and protecting yourself is part of being a responsible athlete,” says Sylvain Couturier, General Manger of the Cape Breton Eagles. “Our players understand that a dentist-fitted, custom mouth guard is an important part of their equipment. We want young players watching us to understand that protecting your teeth is just as important as protecting the rest of your body.”
The NSDA encourages parents to talk to their dentist about the best type of mouth guard for their child. Mouth guards are available in several forms, including stock, boil-and-bite and custom-fitted options. A dentist can assess a child’s mouth, including any orthodontic appliances, and recommend the most appropriate option. Children’s mouths are also continually changing as they grow and their permanent teeth erupt, so the fit should be checked regularly.
“A mouth guard needs to fit properly and stay in place to provide effective protection,” says Dr. Brunt. “For children who are growing or who have braces, it is especially important to have their mouth guard evaluated by their dentist and replaced or adjusted as needed.”
The NSDA also reminds parents that mouth guards should be worn during practices as well as games. Injuries can happen during any time on the field, court, rink or playing surface.
While mouth guards are an important tool for preventing oral injuries, they are only one part of sports safety. The NSDA emphasizes that athletes should use all appropriate protective equipment for their sport, including helmets and face protection where required.
For parents preparing their children for another season of sports, the NSDA’s message is simple: protect the smile before an injury happens.
About the Nova Scotia Dental Association
The Nova Scotia Dental Association (NSDA) is a member-based organization serving the needs of more than 600 dentist members across the province. As a not-for-profit organization, the NSDA has been the voice for dentistry in Nova Scotia since 1891. Our mission is dentists helping dentists.
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Media Contact:
David Salter
Director of Communications and Government Relations
Nova Scotia Dental Association
902-240-9007