It’s important for young children to participate in sports, as it benefits both their physical and mental health. Sports also allow kids to develop social skills and have a flourishing social life, as they’re able to cultivate values of teamwork and spend time with their peers. However, an article on sports-related facial trauma from Baylor College of Medicine states that about 11% to 40% of all sports injuries involve the face. Moreover, sports-related facial injuries are responsible for 8% of all soft tissue injuries. Due to an increase in free time, sports accidents have risen among younger age groups as more and more children are introduced to high-risk sports.
Sports responsible for high rates of injuries are usually those that involve a ball or are a contact sport. This is why Maryville University’s guide to first aid highlights how sports coaches require young athletes to wear mouth guards in sports like basketball and football. In both of these sports, children’s faces are prone to injury both from the ball flying at high velocities or from getting hit by elbows, knees, and other parts of the body.
Today, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about mouth guards, one of the most important injury prevention equipment for young athletes.
How does a Mouthguard Protect Athletes?
Mouth guards cushion the mouth area against oral trauma by providing shock absorption. They lower the force of a hit by spreading the impact over a larger area instead of being concentrated on a smaller one. As a result, there is a bigger surface area taking the impact of that force, lessening the chances of damaging what would have been a smaller area receiving all the impact
However, in order to protect children from injuries effectively, mouth guards have to be properly fitted to the individual. They should be able to drink water or talk properly even while wearing the mouthguard, otherwise, it might not be properly suited for them.
Why is it Important for Young Athletes to Use Sports Mouth Guards?
Sports injuries in the face area can have life-long impacts on a child’s wellbeing. But mouth guards can do a lot to lessen the likelihood of these injuries.
The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety says that wearing mouth guards makes children 60 times less likely to sustain damage to teeth, which otherwise might cause permanent damage to oral structures in a child. Mouth guards also reduce the impact on the face, minimizing facial fractures, and are also claimed to reduce the risk of concussions.
Skipping out on mouth guards can cause serious consequences for children considering the alarming physical toll that sports-related facial injuries can cause. A study on the NCBI, from the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, found that facial fractures and concomitant injuries can have serious impacts on a developing child’s facial skeleton. Because children have weaker bones, facial injuries need to be watched carefully until bone maturation is complete.
However, beyond being detrimental to their physical health, injuries among children can take a toll on their mental health as well. It can impact their social, psychological, and economic wellbeing when they have to miss out on activities and their families have to spend money for recovery and treatment.
Risking injuries is part of engaging in sports. But parents and guardians can do a lot to provide them with the protection that they deserve as they build character and improve their health through these activities. To provide your child with the best oral protection, you can check out our Kids Mouth Guards!
Exclusively written for ORALMART.com
By: Rissa Jeseray
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