The kids are back in school, the weather is finally cooling off, and the sounds of cheers fill the air. It’s fall, and in many houses that means football season! While we here at Alpharetta Children’s Dentistry LOVE football, we love healthy teeth even more! Keep your favorite ball player’s smile looking camera ready by making sure they use a mouthguard.
There are several different kinds of mouthguards out there: stock, boil and bite, and custom guards. Each mouthguard provides varying degrees of protection. Stock mouthguards are usually generic in size, can be bulky, and not necessarily effective. Boil and bite mouthguards generally offer a better fit and more protection because they are formed around the teeth. Just like the name suggest, you first dip the mouthguard in hot water to soften the material, then bite down to shape the mouthguard. These are the most commonly used mouthguards. Custom fit mouthguards are just that; they are made for the individual by a dental professional.
Football players aren’t the only ones who should use mouthguards. Contact sports such as ice hockey, and lacrosse are notorious for mouth injuries. Basketball isn't much better, 34% of those injuries are mouth related. Accidents can happen during any physical activity. We’ve seen all kinds of sports related mouth injuries from baseball to karate to cheerleading to skateboarding. Wearing a mouthguard doesn’t prevent all injuries, but it definitely makes a difference. They can limit the risk of mouth related injuries to the lips, tongue, and gums. Mouthguards can also protect against chipped and broken teeth, and even tooth loss.
Even with mouthguards, accidents happen. If your child gets hit in the mouth or bumps their teeth, check the following: (A) If a baby tooth is knocked out or displaced, call us as soon as possible. Do not try to place a baby tooth back in your child’s mouth. It may cause damage to the developing permanent tooth. (B) If your child knocks a permanent tooth out or displaced, call us or get to our office immediately. If possible, rinse the off the tooth with cool water. NEVER touch the root. Try to place the tooth back in the socket and hold it there with a clean cloth. If you can’t get the tooth back in the mouth, place it in milk, or water (when no milk is available). (C) If no teeth are knocked out, check for chipped teeth, and bruising or bleeding of the gums. If you notice any of these, call our office soon as you can. It may not be an emergency, but it is always a good idea to let us take a look! For more information, visit our website www.AlpharettaChildrensDentistry.com
Drop by our facebook page and tell us your favorite fall activity or your favorite football team! www.facebook.com/alpharettachildrensdentistry
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