Normal Dentistry

Taking part in winter sports is a great way to have fun, stay in shape and enjoy the great outdoors.  Skiing and snowboarding are becoming increasingly popular among adults, with teenagers and even toddlers finding the adrenaline rush just as irresistible. In addition the Bloomington-Normal area offers a wide array of organized sports activities for all ages from YMCA Basketball programs, to Club sports, to High School and College programs – there is no shortage of ways to participate.  While injuries can happen to anyone, people commonly worry about a broken bone or a torn ligament and often don’t realize the danger to their teeth. Each year, more than 5 million teeth are knocked out resulting in nearly $500 million spent each year replacing such teeth and up to 39% of all dental injuries are sports related. There are plenty of unpreventable injuries that occur in sports, but regardless of the time of year or sport involvement using a mouthguard can prevent at least one of those costly accidents from occurring.

 

Custom fitted performance mouthguards are able to lessen the impact of blows to the jaw, reducing the incidence of concussions that can occur during high school and college football and basketball games.  In addition to providing protection to the teeth, performance mouthguards are able to provide an alleviation of pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by pivoting the jaw forward.  This keeps the teeth from clenching, thus preventing the release of a cascade of hormones, including cortisol, the major stress hormone in the body.  Without this excessive production of stress, the body is able to unlock its full potential.  Studies have also shown that mouthguards are able to improve airflow by enlarging the airway opening, allowing an increase in strength and endurance.

The mouthguard process is fairly easy and does not require a lot of time.  Your dentist will first take accurate impressions of your top and bottom teeth that will take approximately 20 minutes.  Once this fitting process is over, the order can take about 10 days for delivery.  After the final product is delivered to your dentist, you return for a last fitting so any minor adjustments can be made.  Without this properly made and fitted mouthguard, the lower jaw can still be in contact with the base of the skull, which will actually increase the possibility of secondary concussions or trauma.

These performance mouthguards should be used in contact sports such as football, wrestling, hockey, and lacrosse and in non-contact/limited-contact sports such as soccer, baseball, skiing, volleyball, basketball and tennis.  Currently, the I.H.S.A. (Illinois High School Association) is requiring mouthguard use among high school football players and highly recommends use in any contact sport.  Accidents do happen, but just as you would not drive without wearing a seat belt, you should not play without your mouthguard.