If you’re the parent of a teenager, you may be wondering how you can keep their teeth safe. By the ages of 12-13, your teen will usually have all of their permanent teeth, and they need to take the proper steps to protect their teeth from injuries, gum disease, or tooth decay, which could cause premature tooth loss and damage. So in this blog from the office of Patrick Stuckey, DDS, we’ll take a look at some steps you can take to keep your teen’s teeth safe.
Get A Mouthguard To Protect Their Teeth During Hobbies & Sports
A custom-fitted mouthguard from Dr. Patrick Stuckey is a great investment for your child’s dental health. Mouthguards are made from durable plastic that helps cushion and protect the teeth from impacts and injuries.
The unique design of a mouthguard slips comfortably over the teeth and gums, and spreads out the force of trauma to the mouth. By doing so, they can help protect your teen’s teeth during a hard hit in a contact sport, a slip and fall, or facial trauma from any sport or hobby.
How effective are mouthguards? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), users of mouthguards are between 82%-93% less likely to suffer a serious dental injury, such as a tooth fracture or an avulsed (knocked-out) tooth, compared to those who did not wear mouthguards.
There are a number of sports, hobbies, and activities where a mouthguard can help protect your teen’s mouth. To name just a few, these include:
- Skateboarding or inline skating
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Football
- Lacrosse
- Wrestling
- Gymnastics
- Field hockey
- Mountain biking
- Soccer
- Rugby
- Martial arts (karate, judo, taekwondo, etc.)
If your teen participates in any sport or activity that involves person-to-person contact or has a risk of slips, falls, or facial/head trauma, they can benefit from wearing a custom-fitted athletic mouthguard from Dr. Stuckey.
Schedule An Appointment To Identify Teeth Problems Before Family Vacations
Beyond protecting your teen’s teeth during their favorite sports and hobbies, you also need to make sure to schedule regular appointments with Dr. Patrick Stuckey, particularly before family vacations and back-to-school.
A checkup and teeth cleaning is the best way to keep track of your teen’s dental health. Dr. Stuckey can look for signs of cavities and gum disease, and make sure your teen’s smile is healthy and strong. Don’t delay. If it’s been more than six months since your teen has been to a dentist for a consultation, schedule an appointment for preventive care today.
Come To The Office Of Dr. Patrick Stuckey To Keep Your Teen’s Smile Healthy!
Whether you’re looking to get an athletic mouthguard for your teen or you need to schedule a checkup before vacation, Dr. Patrick Stuckey is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (318) 255-8648 to schedule an appointment for your teen, and make sure they get the oral care they need in Ruston.
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