For its newest March challenge, Benjamin W. Chaffee, affiliate editor of the Journal of the California Dental Affiliation and professor, wrote in appreciation of NBA star Stephen Curry’s use of mouthguards to guard his tooth throughout video games.
Citing sports activities historical past, Chaffee famous that sports activities have been “resistant to vary” in terms of prioritizing participant security. He defined that the American Dental Affiliation recommends mouthguards for 29 sports activities, together with basketball. Whereas no main basketball governing physique mandates their use, boxing—on account of its lengthy historical past of maxillofacial accidents—requires mouthguards in each novice {and professional} leagues.
In spite of everything, a 2019 systematic evaluation and meta-analysis on athletes discovered the prevalence of dental trauma amongst mouthguard customers to be between 7.5 and seven.75 per cent, in comparison with 48.31 to 59.98 per cent amongst those that didn’t put on mouthguards.
If mouthguard use has really elevated because of Curry’s affect, is it preposterous to think about that Curry has prevented extra chipped and avulsed tooth than any practising dentist might ever restore?
[You can also read: Bad Bounces and Broken Teeth: Treating Sports-Related Dental Injury]
Different NBA stars be a part of Curry
Chaffee additionally identified that NBA stars corresponding to LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others have joined Curry in voluntarily carrying mouthguards. Curry’s attachment to his, nonetheless, went past the courtroom—his game-worn mouthguard from Recreation 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals was even put up for public sale by California-based SCP Auctions, with estimates suggesting it might fetch greater than $25,000.
“With out query, Steph Curry has introduced smiles to California sports activities followers, and he has most likely saved various tooth, too.”
“Around the globe, youngsters enjoying basketball mimic Curry’s taking pictures and distinctive mannerisms. Is it attainable that their hoops idol has additionally made carrying a mouthguard, dare I say, cool?” wrote Chaffee. “If mouthguard use has really elevated because of Curry’s affect, is it preposterous to think about that Curry has prevented extra chipped and avulsed tooth than any practising dentist might ever restore? Ought to we additionally consider this four-time NBA champion as a champion for oral well being?”
The dialogue round mouthguard use continues, even at the highschool degree, with some faculties requiring their soccer gamers to put on them. Moreover, NFL gamers, whose sport is thought for its high-impact nature, are reportedly doubling up on security gear—counting on each helmets and mouthguards.
“With out query, Steph Curry has introduced smiles to California sports activities followers, and he has most likely saved various tooth, too,” Chaffee concluded.
