Mouthguards should be an essential part of an athlete’s standard gear. While certain sports like football, lacrosse and hockey have long used mouthguards; other sports like basketball, baseball/softball, gymnastics and skateboarding often result in blows to the head and face that can cause injuries to the teeth and jaws. Mouthguards can also help reduce the severity of concussions.
There are two basic types
of mouthguards: the “boil and bite” type and the custom-made type. The “boil and bite” mouthguard is fitted by the athlete him or herself by dipping it into boiling water for a couple of minutes, and then forming it to the teeth while it is soft and moldable. This is the less costly type, can be re-molded by reboiling it if need be and for many people it works fine. Some people require a more precise fit than a “boil and bite” mouthguard can provide. For them, their dentist can make a custom-made mouthguard. The dentist makes impressions of the teeth and a laboratory-processed mouthguard is then fabricated. It fits much more comfortably because of the custom-fit.
The most important type of mouthguard is the one that is ACTUALLY WORN. If it is not comfortable, people have a tendency to leave them out and of course, that doesn’t protect anything! An injury to teeth can cost thousands of dollars to repair so investing in a well-fitting mouthguard is a worthwhile investment.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
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39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360. www.drshooverandyanda.com
g the teeth, in the development of oral cancers and certain other cancers, as well as the link between periodontitis and cancer mortality on the population level.
A: There are at least three main methods people use to have their teeth whitened. There are over-the-counter methods available in most pharmacies. There are methods that are done entirely within the dental office. Lastly, there are methods that involve having trays fitted by a dentist that are then worn at home. Over-the-counter methods are the least expensive. They do work to a certain extent but tend to take longer and their “one size fits all” feature doesn’t work for everyone. Methods that are done entirely within the dental office and those involving custom-made trays by the dentist that are then worn at home both are more likely to brighten teeth more quickly and effectively. We choose to fabricate trays in our office for one major reason. All bleaching eventually fades and then requires whitening again to regain that brighter smile. With “in-office only” methods, they need to be done entirely over at full fee and that fee is typically higher than the custom tray method. With the custom tray method, when whitening is needed again since you still have the trays, the only expense with subsequent treatments is to purchase the tubes of bleach. That cost is minimal compared to starting all over again. Many of our patients choose the start of a new year as the perfect time to whiten their teeth.
Brushing twice a day with an ADA certified fluoride toothpaste and flossing with dental floss or an interdental cleaner once a day is advised. Keep appointments with your dentist and hygienist for routine check-ups and teeth cleanings.
Always ask your dentist if you’re not sure how your nutrition (diet) may affect your oral health. Conditions such as tooth loss, pain or joint dysfunction can impair chewing and are often found in elderly people, those on restrictive diets and those who are undergoing medical treatment. People experiencing these problems may be too isolated or weakened to eat nutritionally balanced meals at a time when it is particularly critical. Talk to your dental health professional about what you can do for yourself or someone you know in these circumstances.