Sports Dentistry

For a country obsessed with sport, we have a poor track record for taking preventive measures against risk of sports injury.

In sport, the challenge is to maximise the benefits of particpation and minimize the risk of injury, and consequences of any injury. Sports injuries cost Australia approximately $1.4 billion per year. At least 30-50% of these are preventable.

Dental surveys show that most dental injuries are to under 14y olds and at least 25% of these are sports injuries.The consequences of a dental injury, to an under 14y old, will still last a lifetime because teeth do not heal. They can only be repaired.

Accidents are hard to predict but sports safety training and specific protective equipment is the best way to minimise consequences of accidents.

Cheap "Boil and Bite" style Mouthguards purchased from pharmacies provided the equivalent protection as wearing an icecream containeron your head instead of a bike helmet.

SO USE A PROFESSIONALLY FITTED MOUTHGUARD IN ALL CONTACT SPORTS.

This article was provided by

Smiledoctor
Dr Malcolm Cooke BDS Dip Clin Dent ( Oral Implants)
http://www.smiledoctor.com.au

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