By Dr. Arnold Malerman

If you are the coach of a contact sports team, and you instruct a child to “take out your mouthguard so we can hear you,” who’s liability is it if the child gets injured?  If a parent or coach does not mandate mouth guard wear for a contact sporting event, who’s responsible if the child gets hurt?  It’s a teaching moment.  Any child participating in a contact sport should be fully protected.  If the sport mandates a helmet, a cup, or pads, the player should also be wearing a mouthguard.  Eric Linnros’ hockey career was dramatically shortened because of a preventable concussion, and he wasn’t wearing a mouthguard.  There’s even an injury called a Sportsmen’s Fracture, an angular fracture across the face of an upper front tooth from being struck in the mouth by a baseball, a baseball bat, an elbow, a shoulder, a head butt, a cleat, a puck, a shoe, a hockey stick, the ground, and so many other objects.

There is some good news.  Braces actually help stabilize teeth, distributing a single area blow across the entire dental arch, making fracture or avulsion less likely.

Straightening teeth also helps protect them.  Putting them where they belong makes them less susceptible to trauma.  And every Orthodontic Specialist is happy to provide a braces-friendly mouthguard for each and every one of their patients.  A reminder to all of our braces patients, pick up your mouthguard when you come in for your next appointment.

If you would like to discuss the need for mouthguard wear, or what straightening your teeth or your child’s teeth can do to improve overall health, please contact the orthodontists at L&M Orthodontics.  Contact us for a complimentary initial examination. Once braces are removed, we would be pleased to make a custom sports mouthguard.  Remember, older children and adults can also injure their mouths.  It is important to protect your smile at all times.

Schedule an Appointment with an L&M Orthodontist Today!

If you have any orthodontic needs and would like to schedule a complementary consultation with any of our doctors, please contact our offices, our friendly team would be happy to assist you!