JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Imagine what you would look like if you lost some of your
front teeth.
More importantly, imagine what it would be like to talk and
eat without them. Losing your front teeth would make it impossible to pronounce
certain words correctly and extremely difficult to bite into your favorite
foods.
If you play contact sports or engage in activities like bike
riding, skateboarding or gymnastics, you should consider wearing a mouthguard
to protect your teeth.
According to the American Dental Association, athletes are
60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth if they're not wearing a
mouthguard. Participants in non-contact activities are at a higher risk for
dental injury as well.
Also called mouth protectors, mouthguards help cushion any
impact to your lips, cheeks, tongue, and teeth if you accidentally take a hit
to the face. They absorb the shock that would otherwise be suffered by your
mouth.
It's a simple precaution you can use to reduce the risk of
injury, and it is inexpensive. You can purchase sports guards for just a few
dollars at your base exchange or any local sporting goods store.
If you want to go beyond the basic sports guard, your
dentist can make a custom mouthguard for you. A custom mouthguard gives a more
precise, comfortable fit, which can provide more protection.
While custom mouthguards are more expensive, if you
participate in sports or other physical activities frequently, they are highly
recommended.
The 59th Medical Wing's Dunn Dental Clinic at Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland is planning an upcoming event to make free custom mouthguards
for members of all services, their dependents and Department of Defense
civilian employees. More details – including time, date and location – will be
shared as soon as they are available.
For more information about mouthguards and other dental
health topics, visit http://www.mouthhealthy.org.