September is synonymous with back-to-school, a seasonal change to fall and the beginning of a
new sports season.
Sports involvement is fun, teaches kids team spirit and is a great way for them to get some
exercise, but as with any sport, safety comes first and kids, even from an early age, need to
wear a mouth guard to prevent dental and head injuries.
Mouth guards are plastic polymers that are designed to fit over the teeth and act as a shock
absorber. They are mandatory in most sports and leagues. They range from over the counter
(at a local sports store) to custom made at your Dentist’s office. The benefits of a custom
mouth guard are; comfort, feel, better materials as well as perfect adaptation, which aids in the
protection factor.
While hockey, especially for us Canadians, comes to mind as the sport where kids would need
to wear a mouth guard, they are also beneficial in protecting your child’s mouth while playing
many other sports like football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, karate and basketball. If your child is
engaged in any sport or intense physical activity where they could injure themselves, there’s no
doubt that the best defence for any athlete is a professionally fitted mouth guard.
Wearing a mouth guard can protect your smile, prevent a jaw fracture or concussion, save a
tooth or, even a life.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of a customized mouth guard, visit Dr. Lean at
Pickering Square Dental in Pickering. Dr. Lean has been the Dentist to the Toronto Maple Leafs
since 2006 and fits the team with their customized mouth guards. Call 905-420-1777 and make
an appointment today or visit www.pickeringsquaredental.com for more information.