Mouthguard use among young athletes can prevent sports injuries

August 23, 2018

CHICAGO – Raising visibility for oral health and safety through the promotion of mouthguard use among young athletes is the goal of Protect and Play, a new public education program the Chicago Dental Society (CDS) announced today. Through Protect and Play, CDS – a professional dental association that promotes oral health as key to overall health -- is informing kids and families about the importance of wearing a mouthguard when playing sports. While three million teeth are knocked out yearly in youth sports, nearly 67 percent of young athletes participate in activities without wearing mouthguards.

“Too many children engage in sporting activities without the proper protection, which puts them at risk for preventable traumas,” said CDS Board President Lou Imburgia. “To prevent these injuries, our CDS dentists are opening their doors to make sure that every young athlete in their community has access to a custom mouthguard so they can stay active and safe.”

Mouthguards are particularly important as the risk of tooth injuries is 60 times higher without proper protection. As an essential part of any athlete’s gear, not only do mouthguards protect the teeth, tongue, cheeks and jaw, but they also can prevent head and neck injuries.

Through Protect and Play, CDS dentists are making custom mouthguards more affordable for more families by offering a 50 percent discount to youth athletes. CDS also proudly sponsored Chicago Blackhawks Youth Hockey camps and Inflatable Rink events this summer – where CDS dentists have been on site to talk with parents about the importance of mouthguard use. Visit cds.org/mouthguard for details and a list of participating dentists.

About the Chicago Dental Society

Trust a Chicago Dental Society (CDS) dentist with more than just your smile. Talk with them and you'll see their work is an investment in not just your oral health, but your overall health. They are current on the dental trends and technology through extensive CDS continuing education programs, including the Midwinter Meeting. The largest local affiliate of the American Dental Association, the non-profit Chicago Dental Society represents dentists across the Chicago region. They're your neighbors, friends and community anchors. Connect with the Chicago Dental Society at cds.org/smile, where you’ll find our easy-to-navigate Find a CDS Dentist search tool.

Media contact

Alka Nayyar, Hawthorne Strategy, 312.772.4706