The Importance of A Properly Fitted Mouthguard: Pro-Form Mouthguard
As August comes to a close, millions of students across the U.S. are preparing for their return to school. Many student athletes are involved in athletic summer camps for contact sports, so prior to stepping foot into a classroom, they’re stepping out onto the field or court. Yearbook photos aside, it’s crucial they avoid a dental emergency by wearing a properly fitted mouthguard.
Here are 5 stats that can help drive home the benefits of a custom-fit mouthguard to patients:
1. An athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer injury to their teeth when not wearing a mouthguard, according to the American Dental Association, which recommends mouthguard protection for 29 sports.
2. During a single athletic season, athletes have a 1 in 10 chance of suffering a facial or dental injury (Sports-Related Dental Injuries and Sports Dentistry study).
3. Sports-related dental injuries account for more than 600,000 emergency room visits each year (U.S. Centers for Disease Control).
4. It is estimated that mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 injuries per year (Academy of General Dentistry).
5. Sports injury victims who have their teeth knocked out and do not have the tooth properly preserved or replanted may face lifetime dental costs of $10,000 to $20,000 per tooth (National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety). Compare that to the cost of a custom mouthguard, ranging from $150 to $700, which can prevent such injury.
As a dental provider, it is imperative to reinforce the importance of educating young patients and their parents and here’s why: More than 67% of parents stated their children do not wear a mouthguard during organized sports because they are not required to (American Association of Orthodontists).
Here's another common problem with mouthguard usage: How many of you have boiled a mouthguard in your kitchen, only to realize that it doesn't fit as well by the end of the season? This can easily happen among young athletes, especially those who have braces. A custom-designed appliance, like the Pro-Form Mouthguard from Keystone Industries, can provide a better fit because the model has been vacuum formed from an exact impression of the athlete’s mouth. It can be designed to fit over braces and—as an incentive to the recipient—it can be designed to a team’s style.
Pro-Form Mouthguards also allow for maximum oxygen intake, which helps athletes to breathe and in turn enhances their performance. Athletes are also able to communicate clearly on the field.
Like every procedure in dentistry, material quality is key to success and patient satisfaction. Available in square or round, each Pro-Form Mouthguard Laminate contains two layers of soft EVA (4 mm ethylene vinyl acetate ) to provide excellent tensile strength and protection.
If your practice is concerned about ROI, Keystone offers a line of vacuum-forming machines and thermoplastics that can custom fit laminate not only for mouthguards, but also for bruxism guards, temporary splints, or custom trays. The versatility for custom appliances makes Keystone products a sensible investment in your office.
Learn more about Keystone’s product lines at www.keystoneindustries.com.