6 Ways to Prevent Mouth and Tooth

InjuriesDon’t let your tooth get knocked out!

What causes mouth injuries?

Most tooth and mouth injuries are caused by contact sports like football, basketball, soccer, and baseball.

It’s highly likely that you’ll eventually get hit in the mouth with a ball, bat, or even a hand or foot.

That’s why it’s critical to wear some form of mouth protection. If you don’t, you’ll probably get a tooth knocked out, or it might get severely chipped.

The following slides will show you what types of protection you can use to keep your mouth safe:

1. Stock mouth guard

You can find these basic mouth guards at any sporting goods store or any grocery-type store. While it’s better than nothing, a stock mouth guard does not fit to your teeth and it provides only minimal protection.

2. Mouth-formed protector

These particular mouth guards have to be boiled first then bitten into so that the acrylic or rubber lining material molds to your teeth. They can be found at sporting goods stores and they are much safer than stock mouth guards.

3. Custom-made mouth guard

Perhaps the best type of mouth guard is the custom-made one your dentist can make for you. Although it may be more expensive, it will offer you the best protection and it will be the most comfortable.

4. Face cage

Face cages (like the things that hockey goalies and baseball catchers wear) protect your whole face against trauma.

If you’re playing a sport that involves a high risk of injury to your face, you should wear a face cage.

5. Helmet

Although most helmets don’t necessarily protect your teeth and mouth, they do protect your head, which is critical if you don’t want brain injuries.

Brain injuries will always affect the functionality of all other parts of your body, so helmets do indirectly protect your teeth and mouth.

6. Common sense

One of the best tools for preventing tooth and mouth injuries is common sense.

If you get invited to play a pickup game of some sort but you don’t have your mouth guard with you, don’t play.

It’s that simple. Just be smart, and don’t put yourself in risky situations.

What to do when injured?

If you do get your tooth knocked out, see your dentist immediately. Your tooth must be restored to its socket within one hour of it being knocked out, or it can’t be saved.

If your tooth can’t be saved, don’t despair. Through dental implant surgery, an artificial tooth can be placed in the tooth socket where your former tooth was.

See Your Dentist Today

In addition to protecting your teeth while playing sports, it’s important that you visit your dentist at least every six months to get your teeth cleaned and looked at.

Dr. Robert McBride of McBride Family Dental in Broomfield, Colorado is an excellent dentist who will be there for your regular checkups and dental emergencies.

You can even learn some dental health tips by reading our McBride Family Dental blog today.

To set up an appointment, contact us by calling 303-466-2221 or by visiting www.mcbridefamilydental.com today.