Featured Answer: Do I need a mouthguard for skiing or snowboarding?
Yes. High-speed collisions on the slopes are a leading cause of dental trauma. A custom-fitted mouthguard cushions impact, protects teeth from fractures, and reduces the risk of soft tissue injuries during falls on ice or hard-packed snow.
Winter Sports Season in MetroWest
February in Marlborough means one thing: hitting the slopes and the ice. Whether your family is heading to Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Ward Hill, or playing hockey at Navin Arena, dental safety should be part of your gear checklist—right next to the helmet.
The Risks: More Than Just Hockey Pucks
While hockey is known for facial injuries, skiing, snowboarding, and even sledding pose significant risks.
- Collision: Impact with other skiers or stationary objects (trees, lift poles).
- Falls: Hitting the ice face-first can cause tooth avulsion (knocked-out tooth) or severe lip lacerations.
- Clenching: straining during intense physical activity can lead to jaw fatigue.
Mouthguard Options: What Provides the Best Protection?
Not all protection is created equal. Here is the medical reality:
1. Stock Mouthguards (Pre-formed)
- Pros: Cheap, available at sporting goods stores.
- Cons: Poor fit, bulky, difficult to breathe and speak. Least protective.
2. Boil-and-Bite
- Pros: Better fit than stock, inexpensive.
- Cons: Material thins out during molding, offering inconsistent protection. Can become brittle in cold winter temperatures.
3. Custom-Fitted Mouthguards (Dentist Prescribed)
- Pros: Exact mold of your teeth. Superior shock absorption. Comfortable enough to wear for hours.
- Cons: Higher initial cost.
- The Verdict: For high-impact winter sports, a custom guard offers the best defense against expensive emergency restorative work.
Medically Accurate: What to Do in a Dental Emergency?
If an accident happens on the mountain, quick action can save a tooth.
- Chipped Tooth: Find the fragment if possible. Keep it moist (in milk or saliva). Call us immediately.
- Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth:
- Handle ONLY by the crown (white part), never the root.
- Rinse gently with water/saline if dirty. Do not scrub.
- Re-implant promptly if possible (adult teeth only) or store in cold milk or Hanks Balanced Salt Solution.
- Get to a dentist within 60 minutes for the best chance of survival.
Schedule Before February Vacation
Don't wait for an injury to think about protection. We can fabricate a custom mouthguard quickly, ensuring your teen is ready for their next run.
Internal Links
- Emergency protocols → Emergency Dentistry
- Pediatric care → Children's Dentistry
- Book a fitting → Contact Us
Play hard, stay safe. Call (508) 481-0110 to schedule a custom mouthguard impression today.
