The Winter Sports that Pose a Threat to Your Smile

Did you know there are many winter sports and activities that can damage your smile and create an oral injury if you’re not careful? Well, it’s true. This is why your dentist, Dr. Matthew Scaffa, encourages you to protect your smile with a mouthguard in Staten Island, New York if there’s a chance of injury. Some of the most common winter sports that can harm your smile include:

–Basketball: Basketball is a high-contact sport that poses a high risk of tooth injury. If you’re not careful, the basketball, an elbow, or a knee could hit your mouth with such force that it injures your smile. This is why it’s best to wear a mouthguard while playing.

–Wrestling: Wrestling is another high-contact sport that could harm your mouth. Because of the close proximity between you and your opponent, there is a high chance a body part could hit your mouth and injure or knock out a tooth. For the best protection possible, wear a mouthguard.

–Hockey: As you may already know, there are times when opponents can slam into you while you are playing hockey. This can severely harm your smile if you’re not careful because a shoulder or even ahead could damage your teeth and gums. Also, there is a chance that the puck could soar through the air and hit you in the mouth, resulting in pain and injury. So, it’s best to wear a mouthguard.

–Sledding: Although sledding is not a high-contact sport, there is still a chance that you could crash on the sled or even hit another sledder, resulting in serious injury. It’s best to keep your teeth protected with a mouthguard.

–Snowboarding/Skiing: Like sledding, snowboarding and skiing are not high-contact sports, but there is a chance you could fall or crash into someone while you’re speeding down the mountain. You could also crash into a tree if you’re not cautious. So, it’s smart to snowboard and ski with a mouthguard.

If you participate in any of these activities, please wear a mouthguard. If you do, you’ll be on the right track toward protecting your smile. For more information and details about how to keep your smile in tip-top shape over the winter, please call Dental Art Concepts PLLC at (718) 313-4343 and schedule an appointment. We are happy to help you in any way we can!