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Most Illinois caregivers don't know that wearing a mouthguard while playing sports helps prevent the likelihood of a concussion, despite recommendations made by dental professionals.
That's one key finding from a survey of Illinois children's oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental of Illinois - which is part of a national survey of American children's oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association.
"Mouthguards do more than protect young athletes' teeth. They can also help prevent concussions by acting as shock absorbers," said Dr. Katina Morelli, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois. "Studies show that concussions can cause serious, long-term consequences for athletes, and the majority of at-risk athletes are children."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 300,000 people suffer from sports-related concussions every year, with children and teens at the highest risk.
Although mouthguards are only mandatory for some youth sports, such as ice hockey, football and lacrosse, dental professionals recommend they be worn for all athletic activities where there is a strong potential for contact with other participants or hard surfaces.
But according to the national survey of children's oral health, nearly seven in 10 Americans (68 percent) report that their child does not wear a mouthguard at soccer, basketball, baseball and softball practices or games. And studies show that today's basketball players are 15 times more likely to sustain an oral-facial injury than football players.
Mouth injuries in football have dropped dramatically since mouthguards became mandatory. More Americans report that their child wears a mouthguard for football than for any other sport. However, even in football - a sport requiring protective gear - only seven in 10 caregivers (70 percent) report that their child wears a mouthguard at both practice and games. And according to Safe Kids USA, most organized sports-related injuries occur during practice rather than games.
"Parents need to encourage their young athletes to get in the habit of wearing mouthguards whenever they participate in sports, whether it's for practice or a game," said Dr. Morelli.
There are three types of mouthguards currently available:
*Stock mouthguards are relatively inexpensive and have a pre-formed shape. But since the fit can't be adjusted, they're less effective than a fitted option.
*Mouth-formed mouthguards can be purchased at many sporting goods stores, and can be molded to the individual's mouth, usually by boiling the mouthguard in hot water to soften the plastic. These mouthguards are effective and relatively inexpensive.
*Custom-made mouthguards are considered the best option but are the most expensive. Since they are made by your dentist from a mold of your teeth, they fit tightly and correctly.
Still, if cost is a consideration, any mouthguard is better than none at all. For more information on mouthguards and protecting your smile, go to www.MouthMattersIL.com
Most Illinois caregivers don't know that wearing a mouthguard while playing sports helps prevent the likelihood of a concussion, despite recommendations made by dental professionals.
That's one key finding from a survey of Illinois children's oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental of Illinois - which is part of a national survey of American children's oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association.
"Mouthguards do more than protect young athletes' teeth. They can also help prevent concussions by acting as shock absorbers," said Dr. Katina Morelli, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois. "Studies show that concussions can cause serious, long-term consequences for athletes, and the majority of at-risk athletes are children."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 300,000 people suffer from sports-related concussions every year, with children and teens at the highest risk.
Although mouthguards are only mandatory for some youth sports, such as ice hockey, football and lacrosse, dental professionals recommend they be worn for all athletic activities where there is a strong potential for contact with other participants or hard surfaces.
But according to the national survey of children's oral health, nearly seven in 10 Americans (68 percent) report that their child does not wear a mouthguard at soccer, basketball, baseball and softball practices or games. And studies show that today's basketball players are 15 times more likely to sustain an oral-facial injury than football players.
Mouth injuries in football have dropped dramatically since mouthguards became mandatory. More Americans report that their child wears a mouthguard for football than for any other sport. However, even in football - a sport requiring protective gear - only seven in 10 caregivers (70 percent) report that their child wears a mouthguard at both practice and games. And according to Safe Kids USA, most organized sports-related injuries occur during practice rather than games.
"Parents need to encourage their young athletes to get in the habit of wearing mouthguards whenever they participate in sports, whether it's for practice or a game," said Dr. Morelli.
There are three types of mouthguards currently available:
*Stock mouthguards are relatively inexpensive and have a pre-formed shape. But since the fit can't be adjusted, they're less effective than a fitted option.
*Mouth-formed mouthguards can be purchased at many sporting goods stores, and can be molded to the individual's mouth, usually by boiling the mouthguard in hot water to soften the plastic. These mouthguards are effective and relatively inexpensive.
*Custom-made mouthguards are considered the best option but are the most expensive. Since they are made by your dentist from a mold of your teeth, they fit tightly and correctly.
Still, if cost is a consideration, any mouthguard is better than none at all. For more information on mouthguards and protecting your smile, go to www.MouthMattersIL.com
