Sports and athletic activities help us stay in shape and offer a number of benefits for our quality of life. However, children and adults alike are sometimes at risk of damaging teeth. Instead of avoiding sports and athletic activities, why not wear a custom mouthguard to protect your smile from damage? We’re talking about how we safeguard smiles for our Richardson, TX, patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safety and Mouthguards
Question: How does a mouthguard protect your smile?
Answer: The mouthguard covers the teeth and places a barrier between the upper and lower sets. The guard then helps protect the teeth from common injuries, such as fractures, chips, or serious breakage. They also help prevent teeth from being knocked out.
Question: Will my guard be custom-made?
Answer: Yes! While you can purchase boil-and-bite, one-size-fits-all options at any sporting goods or big box store, they don’t offer the same level of protection as a custom-made option. We will take detailed impressions of your smile, creating one that fits comfortably and provides a greater level of protection against injury.
Question: What injuries can develop?
Answer: Often, patients chip a tooth. Other times no obvious injury is noticeable, but a dental fracture may have formed that will increase the risk of tooth decay and infection. Some patients may have a tooth knocked loose, or have one knocked-out completely.
Question: How do I address a damaged tooth?
Answer: If you do sustain an injury, even if damage isn’t noticeable, schedule a visit. We can make sure you don’t have a fracture or other injury not visible to the naked eye. If you chip a tooth, try to recover any pieces and bring them with you to the office. If you have a tooth knocked out, then place it in a glass of milk or salt water and bring it with you. A piece of gauze or cloth may stem bleeding, and a cold compress against the side of the face will reduce swelling.
Do You Have Questions About Protecting Your Smile?
With the right steps, you can help safeguard both you and your children’s smiles. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling the Viva Dental Family Dentistry office nearest you at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
