When playing sports, it’s important to protect your mouth as a sports-related injury can cause a significant amount of trauma and damage. After spending thousands of dollars on braces to get the perfect smile, the last thing you want to do is have to spend even more on the cosmetic surgery that may be required to fix your smile after an accident that could have been prevented. Sports injuries are the main source of tooth and mouth injuries in older adolescents and adults. A little protection can go a long way in preventing expensive and painful injuries. We’ve all seen professional athletes (especially hockey players) encounter injuries to the mouth – and they aren’t pretty. No matter the skill level, everyone is at risk of dental injuries. Don’t wait until after an injury to start wearing a mouth guard.
Wearing a mouth guard is one of the best things you can do to avoid injury, and they aren’t just for children. They should be worn by anyone that participates in contact sports such as hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, racquetball and rugby. Mouth guards typically cover the upper teeth and minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue and even jaw. In hockey, you can also wear a cage helmet that will not only protect against injury to the mouth, but also trauma to the head. Helmets are a must for high impact sports. Although standard mouth guards are widely available for purchase in sporting-goods stores and are ready to wear, they are more uncomfortable than custom ones. This is one of the reasons why people don’t like to wear them. They can also make it hard to talk and breathe. Custom mouth guards are the most comfortable and can be made by your dentist. With a custom mouth guard, you will notice a significant difference in fit, comfort and protection. They are also a lot more durable. If you wear braces, a custom mouth guard will provide the most comfort and protection. In between custom and standard, there are also “boil and bite” mouth guards. Hot water is used to soften the plastic before it is placed in your mouth and molded to your teeth. As you can probably guess, custom mouth guards are the most expensive, but if you play a number of sports all year round, it is definitely worth the cost. No matter the type of mouth guard you choose, some sort of protection is always better than no protection at all. So before it’s too late, guard your mouth and protect your smile the next time you play a sport!
At Oakville Place Dental Office, we know that accidents can happen. We’ve been treating dental emergencies for over 20 years! Fortunately, a tooth (or teeth) that has been knocked out can be repaired; however, it’s important to seek treatment as quickly as possible. The sooner you get to your dentist, the better chance your tooth has of surviving. If possible, you should hold the tooth in its socket while on the way to the dentist. If that’s not possible, it’s best to soak your tooth in milk. Yes, it may sound like a weird idea, but it can actually help the root of the tooth to survive. If your tooth is not savable by the time you get to the dentist, with dental technology there is still hope. Dental implants can be used to restore your smile with an artificial tooth. Minor chips and cracks can be fixed in no time with CEREC technology. We strive to provide the best treatment for our patients so they can have a painless and stress-free dental experience. Our extended hours of service means we are more available to our patients in need of prompt dental treatment and care, such as in the case of a dental emergency. If you would like a custom mouth guard, feel free to contact us. If you have a dental emergency and live in the Oakville area, you know who to call! We are conveniently located in the Oakville Place mall.
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