If you’ve played sports or you have children who play sports, you’ve probably heard of sports dentistry. Do you know what it is? Why not ask the experts, the team dentist for the Chicago Blackhawks, UAD! Why is sports dentistry a type of dentistry, and how does it differ from regular dentistry? Here we offer a few facts about sports dentistry that may interest you.
- Sports dentistry is a relatively new field. It’s a quickly growing one, though, and with good reason. Sports dentistry deals with the prevention and treatment of both dental injuries and oral diseases that are associated with sports and exercises. Athletes are at risk of injuries, including facial bone fractures and injuries to both the hard and soft tissue of the mouth, that require the attention of an expert in sports dentistry.
- Young athletes, in particular, benefit from sports dentistry services. An estimated 30 million children in the United States play organized sports, and injuries to the face and mouth can cause scarring or damage to the child’s permanent teeth. Pediatric sports dentists can educate coaches, parents, and young players on the prevention of injuries, as well as assisting with treatment.
- Contact sports can cause injuries, but other sports can as well. Most people know that dental injuries are common in sports such as hockey and boxing. Would it surprise you to know, for instance, that swimmers also benefit from sports dentistry? People who swim more than six hours a week, exposing their teeth to chemically treated water, can develop hard, brown deposits on their teeth known as swimmers’ calculus, which requires the attention of a dentist.
- Sports dentists can create custom mouthguards to protect against injury. While stock mouthguards and self-adapting (boil and bite) mouthguards do offer protection against injury, custom-made mouthguards are the most effective way to protect athletes’ mouths. Made by a sports dentist, they’re created from an impression of the athlete’s mouth, so that they’re comfortable and more likely to stay in place than other models.
- Sports dentistry prevents long-term damage and saves you money. By helping people find the right protective gear and advising them on how to avoid injuries, sports dentists help protect both children and adults from lasting damage. What’s more, seeking the advice and care of a sports dentist before starting a sport is far less expensive than dealing with the consequences of oral or facial injuries down the line. Even a custom mouthguard, which is more expensive than other models, will save you money by protecting the mouth from damage.
If you’re in need of sports dentistry services in Chicago, you can have confidence in the team at University Associates in Dentistry. Well aware of the fact that prevention and adequate preparation are the key elements in minimizing sports injuries, UAD treats patients in the office and onsite, and serves as the team dentist for the Chicago Blackhawks. You can make a dentist appointment in Chicago by calling (312) 704-5511, or visit our website for more information or to set up a complimentary consultation.
