For its latest March issue, Benjamin W. Chaffee, associate editor of the Journal of the California Dental Association and professor, wrote in appreciation of NBA star Stephen Curry’s use of mouthguards to protect his teeth during games.
Citing sports history, Chaffee noted that sports have been “resistant to change” when it comes to prioritizing player safety. He explained that the American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for 29 sports, including basketball. While no major basketball governing body mandates their use, boxing—due to its long history of maxillofacial injuries—requires mouthguards in both amateur and professional leagues.
After all, a 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis on athletes found the prevalence of dental trauma among mouthguard users to be between 7.5 and 7.75 per cent, compared to 48.31 to 59.98 per cent among those who did not wear mouthguards.
If mouthguard use has truly increased thanks to Curry’s influence, is it preposterous to imagine that Curry has prevented more chipped and avulsed teeth than any practising dentist could ever restore?
[You can also read: Bad Bounces and Broken Teeth: Treating Sports-Related Dental Injury]
Other NBA stars join Curry
Chaffee also pointed out that NBA stars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others have joined Curry in voluntarily wearing mouthguards. Curry’s attachment to his, however, went beyond the court—his game-worn mouthguard from Game 4 of the 2018 NBA Finals was even put up for auction by California-based SCP Auctions, with estimates suggesting it could fetch more than $25,000.
“Without question, Steph Curry has brought smiles to California sports fans, and he has probably saved more than a few teeth, too.”
“Around the world, children playing basketball mimic Curry’s shooting and distinctive mannerisms. Is it possible that their hoops idol has also made wearing a mouthguard, dare I say, cool?” wrote Chaffee. “If mouthguard use has truly increased thanks to Curry’s influence, is it preposterous to imagine that Curry has prevented more chipped and avulsed teeth than any practising dentist could ever restore? Should we also think of this four-time NBA champion as a champion for oral health?”
The discussion around mouthguard use continues, even at the high school level, with some schools requiring their soccer players to wear them. Additionally, NFL players, whose sport is known for its high-impact nature, are reportedly doubling up on safety gear—relying on both helmets and mouthguards.
“Without question, Steph Curry has brought smiles to California sports fans, and he has probably saved more than a few teeth, too,” Chaffee concluded.
Source link