Protecting teeth in the game

SWANTON, Ohio - Sports like football and hockey require mouthguards, but basketball and soccer do not, and the mouth is where dentists are seeing the most injuries.

"We've seen a lot of kids damage their teeth, so we're really pushing for moms, dads, and coaches to try to get their kids to use mouth pieces," said Dr. Joseph Brennan, with Dental Health Associates.

Professional athletes like Cleveland Cavaliers basketball player LeBron James are helping though.

"I actually get excited 'cause I watch NBA basketball and I saw LeBron James wear his mouth piece," Dr. Brennan said. "I think Allen Iverson wears a mouthpiece. I'm hoping that's going to carry over into the kids and get them excited about wearing them."

The football players at Swanton High School get fitted for a new mouthguard each season to protect their teeth from being knocked out.

"You can do the boil and bite ones that they sell at the store and those are all fine I recommend those to anybody. Your dentist should also be able to make you one too. We make custom ones that are a little more form fitting to each individual person."

Dr. Brennan says so many injuries can be prevented by wearing a mouthguard, even possibly a concussion, if your child gets hit hard.

"The mouth piece will absorb some of the shock, so I believe that they're finding, in conjunction with the helmet, is really helping football as far as concussions."

Dr. Brennan adds if you have braces you definitely want to wear a mouth piece because you can also injure your lips.