Are You Ready for Some Mouthguards?

Fall is a favorite season for many due to the promise of cooler temperatures, the approaching holiday season, and, of course, the return of fall sports. Dr. Ivy Schwartz, a recently retired UTHSA faculty, has championed a popular school activity. For the last 20 years, the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry has coordinated with the UT Austin’s athletic department to have a dental team screen their new athletes and fabricate mouthguards.

Towards the end of August, a team of 11 individuals consisting of Advanced Education in General Dentistry residents, dental students, alumni, and staff were led by Dr. Ahmed Sabbah to evaluate 120 new UT Austin athletes. 23 impressions were created and poured for custom-made mouthguards that will likely prevent painful and costly sports-related dental injuries to the athletes.

Well-fitted, dentist prescribed mouthguards are essential for most sports, especially those that are high contact, such as football, boxing, and wrestling.