Should Your Child Wear a Mouthguard During Basketball School Holiday Programs?

When you’re packing your children off to school holiday programs, you’re likely to have a comprehensive list of what they will need, but did you consider whether they will need a mouthguard? A mouthguard acts like a cushion, as this dental appliance is made of high grade material to protect the mouth, teeth, and jaw. So, here we’ll explore the benefits of children using a mouthguard during sports, so you can make an informed decision.

The Mouthguard Basics

Protective mouthguards should be tear resistant, resilient, durable, easy to clean and most importantly, comfortable. A good mouthguard should fit properly and not restrict breathing or speech. Since communication is so important in basketball, your child will not appreciate a mouthguard that prevents them from effectively communicating when they need to pass the ball, yell they are open, thank a teammate or assist another player. So, a mouthguard should not be a hindrance to communication and good team play.

Is a Mouthguard Necessary for Basketball?

When considering basketball camps, Melbourne parents are likely to be keenly aware of safety, and a mouthguard can be a helpful precaution for a young athlete. A mouthguard is designed to protect the jawbone and teeth, which can be beneficial against accidental injuries. With less flexibility inside the mouth, a blow can damage the teeth and gums or even fracture the jawbone. A mouthguard will act like a crash helmet to protect the jawbone from an unexpected impact.

While basketball is a non contact sport, research has shown that it yields the most dental injuries amongst all types of sport. The data indicates for every 100 athletes, the injury rate for basketball is 10.6% compared to football with just 2%. This adds up to 7 dental injuries for every 16 basketball players, compared to 21 dental injuries in 109 football players. The player close contact and speed of basketball is likely the source of the increased rate of dental injuries. So, for this reason, more and more basketball players are choosing to wear a mouthguard during training and games.

Avoid Costly Dental Repairs

Mouthguards can also protect basketball players against broken or chipped teeth, tooth loss, root or bone damage. Depending on the intricacy of the dental procedure, treatment costs can quickly add up. A mouthguard can help to preserve teeth and help parents to minimise the risk of dental repairs.

A mouthguard can also protect the soft tissues and fine nerves of the buccal cavity. These delicate nerve endings can rupture easily when exposed to a traumatic blow. The mouthguard will act as a barrier to protect the buccal cavity and the cheeks, which is particularly important if your child wears braces. It will keep the soft mouth tissues safe from bruises and cuts, and help you to avoid having to pay to repair metal braces.

A mouthguard is easy to maintain, and they are available in different colors and designs to help children avoid feeling self conscious. So if you are considering school holiday programs for your children, it is worth considering sending them with mouthguards.

If you are interested in basketball camps in Melbourne, Tomorrow’s Stars Basketball is here to help. We offer a variety of training options and school holiday programs to suit all skill levels.