As your Jacksonville, Florida dentist Dr. Tiffany Shields knows that summer is a popular time to brush the dust off of your sporting skills. While sports are a great way to exercise, they can also damage to your smile. That’s why we wanted to share a few helpful hints in order to keep your oral health at an optimum level this season.

Playing contact sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and softball are great ways to spend your summer. However it is important to remember injuries are more likely to occur while participating in these sports. According to statistics from the Academy of General Dentistry, soccer players are more likely than football players to experience tooth damage. This may be because mouth guards are not required protective wear in soccer, while they are in football. If you decide to participate in contact sports this summer, make sure to protect your teeth by wearing a mouth guard. Whether you buy a stock mouth guard, a mouth formed protector, or a custom made mouth protector, the chances of you damaging your teeth are decreased.

If you have questions concerning how to protect your teeth or happen to sustain an injury during your summer sports or activities contact Dr. Tiffany Shields for guidance and aid.