Why Should Kids Wear Mouthguards When Playing Sports?

Sports like football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and martial arts can come with a real risk of dental injury. Even non-contact sports can lead to accidental collisions. A mouthguard helps cushion any hits to your child’s face, reducing their chances of tooth damage and soft-tissue injuries. For kids with braces, mouthguards are especially important, because they prevent sharp metal brackets from cutting their cheeks and protect orthodontic appliances from breaking. Wearing a mouthguard is a simple step that can save families from everything from significant pain and stress to dental expenses.

Types of Mouthguards

Stock Mouthguards

These come pre-shaped and ready to wear, but often feel bulky and offer limited protection because they can’t be adjusted to fit properly.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

A popular option for kids, these soften in hot water and mold around their teeth for a better, more secure fit than stock versions.

Custom Mouthguards

Made by a dentist from impressions of your child’s teeth, custom mouthguards offer the best comfort and protection. They are ideal for kids who play contact sports regularly or wear braces.

What Should I Look For in a Mouthguard For My Child?

When choosing a mouthguard, look for one that is comfortable, well-fitting, and durable enough for repeated use. It should stay securely in place in your child’s mouth, allow for unobstructed breathing and easy speaking, and be made of shock-absorbing, BPA-free material. 

When selecting boil-and-bite mouthguards, look for brands that have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADA Seal confirms the mouthguard meets strict, science-based safety and effectiveness standards that have been independently verified to ensure they offer reliable protection for young athletes. 

For kids who have braces or other dental needs, a custom mouthguard made by your child’s dentist is typically the safest and most reliable option. 

Learn More About the Benefits of Mouthguards for Kids

Help protect your child’s smile this season. Schedule a visit with your dentist today to get personalized mouthguard recommendations and ensure your young athlete stays safe, confident, and game-ready.

Sources:

https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/athletic-mouth-protectors-mouthguards

The post Which Mouthguards Do Dentists Recommend For Kids Playing Sports? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tips to Choose Products for Tooth Sensitivity

If you wince even *thinking* about ice cream or hot coffee, you likely need to focus on dental products formulated for sensitive teeth. 

• Look for toothpaste containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, which help block pain signals from reaching the nerves inside your teeth. 
• Avoid harsh whitening toothpastes that can wear down your tooth enamel and worsen sensitivity. 
• A soft-bristled toothbrush is also essential to prevent additional enamel abrasion and gum irritation.

Best Products for Orthodontics

Braces, aligners, and other orthodontic devices create extra challenges when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene. Food particles and plaque can easily collect around brackets or between tight spaces. 

• Choose an orthodontic toothbrush or an electric brush with an oscillating head for more effective cleaning. 
• Interdental brushes, floss threaders, or water flossers can help remove trapped debris in hard-to-reach spots. 
• Fluoride mouthwash is another smart addition—it can strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of developing white spots around your brackets.

How to Choose Products for Gum Disease

If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontal disease, the focus of your dental hygiene routine should be on reducing bacteria and inflammation. 

• Use an antimicrobial mouthwash with ingredients like chlorhexidine to target plaque. 
• A toothpaste containing fluoride and antibacterial ingredients can further support gum healing. You may want to invest in an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to ensure you’re brushing effectively without causing irritation. 
• For advanced cases of gum disease, your dentist may also recommend professional-grade mouth rinses or prescription-strength toothpaste.

Finding the Right Oral Health Products to Keep Your Smile Beautiful

Your dental health is unique to you, so your oral care routine should be too. Consult with your dentist to take advantage of their expert guidance in finding the best products for your specific needs.

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While a variety of over-the-counter options are available, athletes benefit most from investing in a custom mouthguard tailored to their specific needs. Why is a custom mouthguard the best choice for athletes? Let’s find out.

Superior Protection

Personalized mouthguards offer superior protection compared to their mass-produced counterparts [1]. The custom fit ensures that the mouthguard covers the entire surface of the teeth, providing optimal coverage and shock absorption during impact. This reduces the risk of dental injuries, such as chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth, as well as lacerations to the lips or tongue.

A well-fitted mouthguard can even help prevent or minimize the severity of concussions by acting as a buffer between the upper and lower jaw, absorbing and distributing the impact forces more efficiently [2].  Additionally, chiropractic services for back pain can complement mouthguard use by addressing spinal alignment and reducing tension, further supporting overall physical health and injury prevention

Optimal Fit and Comfort

One of the most significant advantages of a custom mouthguard is its ability to provide an optimal fit and supreme comfort.

Unlike generic mouthguards, custom ones are personally designed by dental professionals. Dentists create them using precise impressions of an athlete’s teeth, ensuring a secure and snug fit that allows the guard to remain in place during intense physical activities.

Custom mouthguards are also made from high-quality materials that are durable, lightweight, and adaptable to an individual’s unique mouth structure, leading to enhanced comfort [3].

Unrestricted Speech and Breathing

One common concern with standard mouthguards is their interference with an athlete’s speech and breathing on the field or court. Ill-fitting and bulky mouthguards often cause difficulty speaking and breathing.

On the other hand, custom mouthguards are designed carefully for an athlete’s speech. They offer a streamlined and slim profile, allowing athletes to communicate effectively without compromising safety.

In addition, custom mouthguards don’t hinder breathing, as OTC mouthguards can [4]. A comfortable, well-fitting mouthguard allows for proper speech and breathing during sports.

Longevity and Durability

Many generic mouthguards lose their shape and resilience over time, compromising their protective capabilities. Custom mouthguards, however, are constructed from high-quality materials that are built to last.

Custom mouthguards withstand intense impact and biting forces, retaining their shape, flexibility, and protective properties for longer. Investing in a custom mouthguard not only provides optimal protection but reduces the need for frequent replacements.

Start Designing Your Custom Mouthguard Today

For athletes seeking the highest level of protection, comfort, and performance, a custom mouthguard is the best option. The precise fit, superior protection, and durability that custom mouthguards offer undoubtedly surpass the generic alternatives. Get started designing your custom mouthguard today by visiting your dentist, and have peace of mind knowing that your teeth and gums are well-protected!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4148563/
2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140501101133.htm
3. https://www.ada.org/en/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-
health-topics/athletic-mouth-protectors-mouthguards
4. https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR_Vol.11_Issue.7_July2021/IJHSR049.pdf

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Although picking up a mouthguard next time you’re at the store might seem tempting, going with a custom mouthguard will offer your child the full amount of protection they need to prevent dental emergencies with their smile. Here’s why you should never neglect to get a custom mouthguard for your student athlete!

Why Custom Mouthguards Are Better

Custom mouthguards are made to fit your child’s unique smile. Store-bought mouthguards offer a very minimal level of protection, as they’re not made to fully protect each and every one of your child’s teeth or their gum tissue.

Store-bought mouthguards tend to be too large and bulky, which can inhibit your child’s breathing during sports and may even discourage them from wearing the mouthguard. With customized mouthguards, you give your child their best chance to minimize an accident or damaged teeth or gums.

In fact, some tentative research even shows that custom mouthguards may help reduce the rate and severity of concussions in sports, as they help absorb the impact from a hit or fall [1]. Personalize Your Protection

Your student athlete should be required to wear a mouthguard, but may not want to wear one, especially if you have an over-the-counter mouthguard that’s uncomfortable and doesn’t quite fit.

When you opt for a custom mouthguard, your dentist will take impressions of your child’s teeth to create an exact fit with their new mouthguard. Some dentists offer even more
personalization for your child’s mouthguard, allowing them to choose colors, designs, and logos to print onto the mouthguard.

These fun and unique design features can increase the chances that your child will wear the mouthguard during their favorite sport!

Where to Find a Custom Mouthguard

Most dental practices offer services to make a custom mouthguard for your child’s smile. You can ask your local dentist about their custom mouthguard solutions to fully protect your student’s smile from accidents or injuries during sports.

Custom mouthguards are considered to be superior forms of protection when it comes to protecting oral health and jaw injuries [2]. To help your teen or child prevent dental emergencies that could include a knocked-out tooth, loose teeth, cut gums, or chipped or fractured teeth, go custom!

Sources:
1. https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/Files/patient_69.ashx
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2987604/

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Choosing the right dental products is simpler than you think, and much of it boils down to personal preference combined with products that have been proven to be safe and effective for healthy smiles. Here’s what you should look for when shopping for oral care products!

A Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Toothbrushes with hard bristles can damage tooth enamel over time. Brushing harder isn’t the same as brushing effectively. You should be as gentle and as thorough as possible when brushing your teeth—and a soft-bristled toothbrush can help you do that.

You can also consider using an electric toothbrush if you prefer. As long as you’re choosing a softer toothbrush—and, of course, brushing your teeth twice a day—the design doesn’t matter as much [1].

Fluoride Toothpaste

Unless you’ve been directed otherwise by your dentist, choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride has been shown to strengthen your tooth enamel, which can reduce instances of tooth decay and even tooth sensitivity.

If you have a medical condition or are allergic to fluoride, talk to your dentist about other toothpastes you can safely use. And remember, children shouldn’t use toothpaste with fluoride before the age of two [2]!

Floss

Flossing is an important part of any oral care routine and for preventing gum disease. You have many different choices when it comes to floss, whether you prefer flavored, waxed or unwaxed, and different materials such as nylon or silk.

You can even use floss holders or interdental cleaners such as water floss, which can be hugely helpful for people who have traditional braces to clean in between their brackets and wires. As long as you’re flossing once a day, it doesn’t matter which floss you choose!

Mouthwash

There are a few different types of mouthwash, and it’s important to remember that mouthwash, fluoride rinses, and therapeutic mouthwashes aren’t all the same.

Regular mouthwash is antibacterial and can help control plaque growth. Since it contains a certain amount of alcohol, regular mouthwash isn’t intended for children under the age of six [3]. Always read the label and follow the instructions!

Fluoride rinses are designed to cover the teeth with fluoride and strengthen them to prevent tooth decay. While they may also freshen breath, they aren’t designed to reduce plaque.

Therapeutic mouthwashes are typically prescribed by your dentist in the event that you have an oral health condition such as oral thrush or gum disease that needs a special formula to treat. Regardless of which mouthwash you choose, look for ones that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance!

When choosing dental products, you can make the appropriate choices for you and your family by following the above guidelines. Otherwise, choose a flavor and brand you love and continue to care for your smile in between your regular dental visits!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4144140/
2. https://wwwhttps://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-
topics/mouthrinse.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride/more-info
3. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/mouthrinse

The post What to Look For When Selecting Dental Products appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What are the benefits of needing orthodontic headgear? Here’s how these appliances can help
many patients have their best smile!

Exert Additional Force

Orthodontic headgear provides additional force needed to move your teeth into their correct
positions. In many cases, the back molars will provide the proper support to move these teeth,
but in others, they won’t suffice.

Headgear relies on a strap that goes behind the neck or head that helps apply extra pressure
and move the teeth faster and into more accurate positions. In some cases, headgear can also
influence facial structure, making it important in cases where a severe overbite or underbite are
affecting facial development in children.

Accelerate Orthodontics

Orthodontic headgear does not need to be worn all day every day. In many cases, it’s rare that
your orthodontist would recommend it to be worn for more than 12-14 hours a day. Wearing
headgear for a limited amount of time is still effective for moving the teeth.

One of the major benefits of headgear is that it’s not only ideal for certain orthodontic cases, it
can also speed up treatment time in cases that might otherwise be complex and time-
consuming to treat. The additional force helps to move teeth in a shorter period of time so
treatment time may be faster!

Necessary for Some Cases

Orthodontists only use headgear when it’s necessary. This might be for cases where the front
teeth need to be moved forward instead of back, or closing a large gap that would otherwise
cause the back teeth to move forward with traditional orthodontic treatment.

Headgear is often necessary in cases where severe overbites or underbites are impeding the smile. Your orthodontist might also suggest headgear for your child in cases where the jaw is not developing correctly since it can help facilitate proper facial development.

Orthodontic headgear won’t be necessary for all cases of orthodontics, but both children and
adults can benefit from headgear in certain cases. If you need headgear, don’t stress. You won’t
need to wear it all day, just when you’re at home or asleep, and your treatment will be over
before you know it. Your orthodontist will let you know if you need to consider headgear to
perfect your smile or your child’s smile!

The post What Are the Benefits of Orthodontic Headgear? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, even wearing a mouthguard during non-contact sports such as soccer, basketball, and
baseball can help prevent injuries. Any child who plays a sport—regardless of age—should wear
a mouthguard. But why?

Injuries Can Happen During Any Sport

Accidents can happen anywhere, especially when your child is involved in a sport. Sports
injuries to the face, jaw, or mouth can cause major damage, from tooth loss to cut gums.

Even if your child just loses a baby tooth, losing baby teeth prematurely will impact your child’s
permanent teeth. Baby teeth are there to help guide adult teeth into position, so without this
important marker, your child may need to have orthodontia later on.

A mouthguard helps absorb the impact of the blow to the face or jaw, reducing the chances
that your child’s teeth will suffer the consequences. In fact, recent research suggests that
mouthguards may help prevent concussions during sports!

Mouthguards for Children of All Ages

Children of any age can be sized for a mouthguard. Many children start playing sports young, so
dentists can make custom mouthguards for children of all ages and sizes.

Although store-bought mouthguards are cheaper, they tend to be uncomfortable and don’t
provide full protection. A custom mouthguard from your dentist is your best choice and will
provide complete protection for your little one’s smile.

Mouthguards aren’t just for kids with braces—any child can benefit from wearing one when
playing sports!

How to Get Your Child to Wear Their Mouthguard

Not all children are keen on wearing mouthguards. Some may be too young to fully understand
why the mouthguard is necessary and attempt to go without it. Fortunately, there are several
ways to get your child to wear their mouthguard.

 Get their favorite color. Your child will love their custom colored mouthguard!

 Make it fun. You can get sparkly mouthguards or mouthguards with a unique logo or
design to customize it for your child.

 Flavored mouthguards. Some dentists offer the option for mouthguards to come with a
flavor, which may encourage your child to wear it during their sport.

 Incentives. If all else fails, offer your child an incentive, such as choosing a prize after
every game they wear their mouthguard.

You can and should explain to your child why the mouthguard is important for their smile, even
if they’re a bit young to fully understand. You can explain that a mouthguard is just as
important as their uniform, knee pads, shin guards, and other protective gear. You can also tell
them that a mouthguard is just another way of taking care of your smile, just like brushing and
flossing.

If your child is playing a sport, especially a contact sport, a mouthguard should be an essential
part of their uniform during games and practices. Protecting your child’s teeth—even if they’re
baby teeth—is going to help their smile remain healthy and secure for life!

The post At What Age Should My Child Wear a Mouthguard During Sports? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

However, there are few sports that exist without the risk for injury. Even sports deemed to be relatively safe such as soccer and volleyball can cause injury to your smile.

So what can you do to prevent teeth damage while playing sports? Here are your top picks for protection.

Custom Mouthguards

Mouthguards are the number one way to protect your teeth during sports. Although there are many mouthguards available over the counter, your best bet for optimal protection will be a custom mouthguard. Custom mouthguards are made at your dentist office specifically for your smile. This means there’s minimal room for harm because every tooth is protected.

Mouthguards are required in many children’s sports and are recommended for sports such as basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse, softball, volleyball, wresting, and boxing. Never forgo a mouthguard during contact sports—it could save your smile by absorbing the impact and protecting your teeth!

Wear a Helmet

Helmets are required for some sports and recommended during others. Although designed to protect your head, helmets do the job of protecting your smile in the event of a head injury. Whether it’s a few knocked-out teeth or a broken jaw, helmets are absolutely worth the investment for the following sports:

Rugby
Horseback riding
Skateboarding
Sledding or skiing
Football
Baseball
Bicycling

Wearing a helmet during these sports can protect your smile in the event that injury occurs!

Healthy Teeth Are Strong Teeth

Teeth that are healthy and strong will naturally be more resistant to injury than those that are weak from decay or gum disease. Getting regular checkups with your dentist can ensure that your teeth are strong and healthy.

Your dentist can also fit you for a custom mouthguard during your appointment. It’s always important to protect your smile when it comes to sports—both on and off the field!

Keep an Emergency Kit

Preventing injuries to your teeth is advisable but in some cases, accidents still happen and teeth can still be injured. It’s wise to keep an emergency kit with you for this reason. In your emergency kit, you should have the names and numbers of nearby dentists who may be able to see you for an emergency visit. If they cannot, go to your local emergency room.

You can also keep:

Cotton absorbers such as cotton balls and gauze
A cold compress that can be activated on site
Alcohol wipes to clean the site
Ibuprofen for pain
A container for a knocked-out tooth

Make sure to talk with your dentist before doing anything to the site beyond controlling the bleeding!

Tooth injuries during sports can be as minor as a chipped tooth or as severe as a broken jaw. Preventing injuries is the best way to stop them—but when an accident happens, be prepared. Always wear a mouthguard or a helmet as appropriate for your sport, keep your smile healthy, and have an emergency kit on hand!

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It’s More Comfortable

Laser dentistry is often more comfortable for patients who are used to receiving conventional dental treatment that involves stitches, needles, and cuts. There’s usually no need for anesthesia, so you won’t need any needles or have any numbing feelings after your procedure. There’s also no drilling or heat. The drill is often what causes pain in patients, as the pressure can damage the nearby areas and cause future problems for your smile.

With laser dentistry, there’s no cutting, less pain, and less need for future dental work. Since high-powered drills can actually cause fractures in your teeth, laser dentistry is ideal for patients who want a safer, more comfortable alternative without the need for more dental work.

Faster Healing Time

Laser dentistry eliminates the need for stitches since there’s no cutting. This means you’ll experience less discomfort and a faster healing time. When you get a dental procedure done with a laser, you’ll also typically experience less bleeding and less pain. There’s also minimal swelling, which increases the chances that your body will heal the affected area faster.

People are accustomed to taking great care of their mouths after a dental procedure. With laser dentistry, your healing time is minimal because there’s no need for cutting or stitches. Swelling and bleeding are kept to a minimum. Laser dentistry also allows for everything to be done in one dental visit, which saves you time and hassle from having to return to the dentist for a multi-step procedure!

It’s Versatile

Did you know that laser dentistry can be used for everything from cavity removal to teeth whitening? In fact, laser dentistry can even be used to treat gum disease and perform root canal therapy. One of the best benefits about using a laser is its preciseness. It does not affect surrounding tissues in the same way a drill would. Since the laser is extremely accurate, your dentist can avoid harming any additional tissue than is necessary.

From removing decay to treating infection and even gum shaping, laser dentistry is tremendously versatile and brings its wide range of benefits to a variety of dental procedures. If you’ve been putting off dental work because of dental anxiety, consider laser dentistry for your next procedure. It’s imperative to find a dentist who’s trained in experienced in using laser dentistry for his or her patients. Ask your dentist about laser dentistry next time you visit—using a laser could change the way you think about going to the dentist!

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So how does Invisalign work to transform your smile?

Custom-Fitting Trays Adjust Your Teeth

Instead of using metal brackets, Invisalign uses custom-fitting trays to slowly move your teeth into place. These trays are designed specifically for your teeth and are changed out every two weeks to keep your teeth moving into their correct positions. These series of aligners are pre-made for you after your orthodontist designs your treatment plan.

The aligners are clear and, hence their name, virtually invisible when worn. Invisalign aligners are meant to be worn for 20-22 hours every day. During each phase of treatment, certain teeth are moved into their correct positions due to the constant, gentle pressure of the aligners. This makes the treatment easy and the best part—no bracket adjustments!

Corrects Most Alignment and Bite Issues

Invisalign transforms your smile by correcting nearly any problem your smile has. These orthodontic issues that could be impacting the beauty and quality of your smile include bite problems, misaligned teeth, or crowded teeth. Invisalign can help correct overbites, underbites, and even open bites and cross bites. They can correct gapped teeth and overcrowded teeth as well.

These seemingly minor structural problems in your smile can lead to bigger problems like trouble speaking and chewing. Complex bite problems could even lead to the development of pain in your jaw muscles and joints, also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. When you receive treatment with Invisalign, you can correct your smile and be totally transformed without the use of traditional braces!

Boosts Your Confidence

Invisalign helps to boost your confidence in two ways—you have no braces and no change in your appearance while receiving treatment, yet you have straighter teeth! People won’t even notice you’re transforming your smile yet they’ll notice something different about you. Invisalign gives you the power to attain your dream smile without having to deal with the appearance of metal braces.

Don’t worry about chewing with metal braces— with Invisalign aligners, you have the option of fully removing the trays before eating. This isn’t an option when you have traditional braces. So don’t worry about getting food stuck in your brackets, instead you can simply remove the aligners until you’re ready to wear them again.

Invisalign treatment is a great choice for kids and adults alike. From students who are sensitive about the inconvenience or appearance of braces to adults who want a perfect smile without announcing to the world that they’re receiving treatment, Invisalign just works. Schedule a visit with your orthodontics provider to talk about whether or not you qualify for Invisalign to perfect your smile!

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