Protective Night Guards and Custom Mouthguards in Colorado Springs
Most children like to participate in one form of sports or another. The problem facing parents is how to get the most out of these activities while keeping injuries to a minimum. You may be surprised to learn that your dentist can play an important role in this area. A common sports related injury involves facial/oral trauma. The best way to cut down on these injuries is through the use of properly fitted protective devices.
You may think that protection devices are mostly needed in sports like football, hockey and martial arts; however they are also important in other sports such as basketball, gymnastics, soccer and skateboarding. Studies have shown that dental related injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to tooth loss can be greatly reduced by the use of mouthguards.
There are several types of mouthguards available and many elements to consider when choosing the best one for the job. By far, the most commonly used mouthguards are the type available in sporting goods stores. First is the ready to use type. While inexpensive and readily available, it comes in limited sizes and depending on the exact type, is less comfortable and provides the least amount of protection. A second option available in the stores is the “boil and bite” style of mouthguard. While this type has better fit and retention qualities, it is still limited by available sizes and lacks characteristics that provide optimal protection. When the athlete cuts the posterior borders or bites through the mouthguard during forming, the chances of injury are increased, especially from a blow to the chin.
The custom made mouthguards are designed by your dentist and are the most satisfactory of all types of mouth protectors. The dentist is able to take into consideration all important factors including the age of the wearer, current mouth conditions and the sport being played. A properly fitted mouthguard must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, not bulky, cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing, and (possibly the most important criteria) have excellent retention, fit, and sufficient thickness in critical areas. We would be happy to discuss your mouthguard needs at your next appointment.
One thing is clear regardless of the type of mouthguard you choose: the quality of the protection is totally related to the quality of the product you are putting in your mouth.
If you or someone in your family already has a mouthguard be on the lookout for telltale signs of wear, which means decreased effectiveness: tears or holes, or loss of shape due to chewing. Store your mouthguard in its container and clean it after use with a toothbrush, cool water, and toothpaste, or drop it in a glass for 15 minutes with a fizzy-tablet denture cleaner. Bring it to every appointment so that we can insure your protection is first rate!
Healthy tips: If due to a trauma a tooth is knocked out (avulsed), the best approach is to try to put it back in the socket and see a dentist immediately. If you cannot put it back in the socket, try to put it into a cup of saline water or a cup of milk and bring it to the dentist ASAP.