It’s March Madness season, and between the bracket competitions with friends and digging into the chips-and-dip while watching the big game -- you’re probably nowhere near thinking about the all-star athletes’ teeth.
Whether you have kids participating in school sports or you enjoy heading to the basketball court yourself from time to time, there’s an important question any athlete should consider: Should basketball players wear a mouthguard?
In basketball, a foul can turn a great game into a truly foul one. Dental bills, broken teeth, pain -- these can all add up when basketball players toss the mouthguard aside before hitting the court.
Many basketball players opt for the boil-and-bite mouthguards commonly found at sporting goods stores. However, they can feel somewhat clunky and impede players’ ability to clearly communicate with their teammates. Custom mouthguards, on the other hand, eliminate the cumbersome feel of the protective material. However, even with that option, players don’t always wear one.
Amar’e Stoudemire of the Knicks stopped wearing his mouthguard as frequently due to difficulty yelling to his teammates while on defense. Stephen Curry, the famed point guard for the Golden State Warriors, has served as a spokesman for a brand of flavored mouthguards. Nets player Mason Plumlee has refused to play basketball -- game or practice -- without one. Just before his junior year at Duke, a hit to his teeth required four root canals and then braces. (Talk about March Madness!) Mouthguards are not required in the NBA, but many players swear by the added protection.
Of course, basketball doesn’t take quite the same physical toll as a sport such as hockey -- yet elbows flying on the court can cause serious damage.
According to the American Dental Association, athletes are 60 times more likely to suffer an injury to the mouth when they are not wearing a mouthguard. Dental trauma, which involves damage to the teeth, gums, lips, tongue, periodontal ligament or alveolar bone, can range from knocked-out teeth to deep-tissue wounds on the gums. In short, they’re no fun -- and are expensive injuries to repair.
Mouthguards help spread the impact of a blow over a bigger area, which lessens the force of an injury. The ADA also reports that well-designed mouthguards can also help reduce the rate and severity of concussions. Whether a basketball player chooses a custom mouthguard or the boil-and-bite variety, Scottsdale prosthodontist Dr. Bleeker recommends always using a mouthguard to protect your teeth from serious damage.
If you want to avoid painful dental trauma as well as sky-high bills for restorative dental procedures, make it a habit to wear your mouthguard. Head into this March Madness season with a healthy, clear smile!
Contact Dr. Bleeker with Villa Canyon Prosthodontics to schedule an appointment today.