The Facts.
- The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 300,000 people get sports-related concussions a year, with children and teens at the highest risk.
- That’s on top of the 600,000 kids who end up in the emergency room each year for sports-related dental accidents.
Mouth guards prevent damage to the teeth, jaw and inside of the mouth. But that’ s not all. They can also help prevent concussions.
According to the CDC, mouth guards may prevent 200,000 oral injuries a year, reduce the risk of concussion by 50 percent and prevent injury to the teeth by 60 percent.
Mouth guards are mandatory for youth ice hockey, football and lacrosse, but their use shouldn’t be limited to just those sports. More concussions occurred among athletes playing soccer than almost any other sport. It’s important to use a mouth guard during any activity where there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or hard surfaces, including basketball, baseball, wrestling, bicycling, in-line skating and martial arts.
With all it can do to protect the teeth and the head, mouth guards are one of the most effective pieces of protective equipment in sports!