How to Protect Your Smile While Playing Sports

When you love to play sports, knowing how to protect your smile while playing sports is crucial. We’ve got the info you need. Here’s how to keep your smile safe so you’re less likely to be sidelined by an injury to your teeth and jaw.

Knowing the Risks

Knowing how to protect your smile while playing sports starts with knowing the risks. Each sport carries its risks. Some sports are high-speed sports, like skiing, snowboarding, or bicycling. Others involve contact risks, like football or hockey, when players tackle or check each other. Some sports simply involve the risk of getting hit by a ball or falling. Knowing the risks involved with the sport you play can help to determine which protective gear you should wear. If you’re unsure, ask your dentist. Your dentist treats sports dental injuries regularly and can advise you on how to best protect your smile.

Wearing the Correct Gear

One of the things your dentist might tell you about how to protect your smile while playing sports is to wear the correct protective gear. For some sports, protective gear should include a helmet, face shield, and mouthguard. Mouthguards are often not required for playing sports but are highly recommended by dentists because of how much extra protection they provide for your teeth and jaw. You can purchase a mouthguard at most sporting goods stores or your dentist can provide you with a custom-fitted one for maximum comfort and protection.

Having an Emergency Plan of Action

Even when you do your best to learn how to protect your smile while playing sports, accidents, and injuries can still happen, unfortunately. Wearing the correct protective gear can help to minimize the risk of injury, but it’s still important to be prepared for a dental emergency in case one occurs. Make sure to add your dentist’s number to your phone contacts and pass the number on to your team doctor, school nurse, or anyone else who can call on your behalf if you experience a dental emergency. In emergency situations, moments matter, and having the right emergency contact numbers on hand can help you to get the help you need as soon as possible.

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