Reasons Mouth Guards Should Be Mandatory For sport Athletes

Reasons Mouth Guards Should Be Mandatory For sport Athletes

No matter what sport you play, At Greenbelt Oral and Facial Surgery | Greenbelt MD, 

we recommend wearing a mouthguard. There are numerous reasons for this and many ways that they can help protect your teeth.

Here are six of the most important reasons to always wear mouth guards when playing sports.

1. Protect against displacing teeth.

Imagine being hit in the mouth by a baseball. There’s no question it could break your tooth but it could also displace it. That is, it could loosen it to the point that it moves easily and requires dental treatment. Mouthguards can help to distribute force over all of your teeth, which keeps a single tooth – or several – from bearing the brunt of a blow.

2. Protect against injury to the soft tissues.

While it’s true that teeth can get damaged when playing sports, it’s also true that the teeth can actually damage the soft tissue of the mouth. For example, a basketball player who gets hit in the face with a ball could inadvertently bite into their lip. This can require stitches and even plastic surgery to repair but it can be avoided by simply wearing a mouth guard – which can also help protect the cheeks and tongue.

3. Prevent jaw fractures

Anyone who sustains a blow to the head is likely to have their teeth come into contact with one another. When this happens, there isn’t much room for flexibility. However, if a mouth guard is worn, it acts as padding and can actually prevent the jaw from fracturing. Jaw fractures are serious business and can lead to surgery, so doing something simple like wearing a guard is well worth it.

4. Guards From fracturing teeth

One of the most important things that mouthguards can do is to prevent your teeth from breaking. If you do experience a tooth fracture, it’s likely that you can save it. If it’s fractured on the crown, where you can see it, then we can generally add white filling material to replace the fractured part. If it fractures and the dental pulp is showing, then a root canal will likely be required.

The worst-case scenario is one in which the root of the tooth fractures. At Greenbelt Oral and Facial Surgery | Greenbelt MD we will do everything we can, but it’s possible in these situations that the tooth can’t be saved.

5. Mouthguards can keep you from knocking out your teeth.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wants to get their teeth knocked out, yet many people don’t wear a mouth guard for their teeth when playing sports. Adults who have an adult tooth knocked out may be able to save it. Bring it to Greenbelt Oral and Facial Surgery | Greenbelt MD and let us take a look. If a child gets a baby tooth knocked out, then a spacer may be required until the adult tooth grows in.

6. Mouthguards may help prevent concussions.

While there is disagreement on this issue, some say that since mouth guards add padding between the upper and lower rows of teeth, that padding could lessen the force of the jaw as it pushes on the skull near the brain. As a result, the chance of concussion could be lessened.

5 Ways To Have A Perfect Smile

1. Choose the right toothbrush

Always use a soft-bristled brush that bears the seal of the American Dental Association (ADA). ...
Make sure the toothbrush has a head size that fits comfortably in your mouth. ...
Change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, before the bristles start to splay, and any time after you've been sick.

2. Brush your teeth several times a day

Brushing your teeth regularly is a key way to improve oral health. Aim to gently brush at least twice each day, for two minutes each time. Experts also recommend regular professional cleanings, both to keep your teeth clean and to catch early signs of tooth or gum issues requiring treatment.Apr

3. Floss between your teeth

Flossing your teeth every day removes food particles, plaque, and debris that brushing can’t reach. This helps you keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Additionally, flossing can help you avoid bad breath.[1] Although flossing can be tricky at first, it gets easier with practice. Start by learning how to hold the floss, then work on cleaning your teeth. Finally, adopt healthy flossing habits to help you maintain healthy teeth.

4. Be aware of any changes

When you see your dentist—which you should at regular intervals, preferably every 6 months—be sure to mention any changes you’ve noticed since your last visit, such as:

.changes in the color of your teeth or teeth that have moved;
.increased sensitivity to hot or cold;
.changes to the gums (color, sensitivity, bleeding);
.appearance of sores in the mouth or on the lips;
.tension in the neck or jaw;
.clenching or grinding of teeth;
.appearance of bumps on the neck.

5. Adopt a healthy lifestyle

Balance your diet! Eating healthy contributes to dental health as well as overall health. Foods that can compromise your dental health include candy, sweet drinks and fruit juices. Also, quit smoking as it affects the health of your teeth and mouth. Finally, drink alcohol with moderation. If you’re having trouble changing some of your habits, ask your pharmacist for help.

Habits That Ruin Your Teeth

1.   Smoking

Smoking leads to dental problems, including: Bad breath. Tooth discoloration. Inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth. Increased build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Increased loss of bone within the jaw. Increased risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth.

2.   Drinking alcohol

Discover the facts about how drinking alcohol affects your oral health. ... Not only does this problemcause bad breath, it also boosts your chance of cavities.

3.   Grinding Teeth

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. ... Grinding of the baby teethrarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth, and TMD. Consult your dentist if your child's teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.

4.   Gummy Candy

 Ever wondered what the worst and best candies are for your teeth? ... Gummy worms, because they're the most acidic. .... The body can not fully digest it and it causes big problems in the digestive tract along with damage to 

5.   Soda

Sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid, which attacks theteeth. Diet or “sugar-free” soda contains its own acid, which also can damage teeth. ... These ongoing acid attacks weaken tooth enamel. Kids and teens are most susceptible to tooth decay because their tooth enamel is not fully developed.

6.   Opening Stuff With Your Teeth

Opening bottle caps or plastic packaging with your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes dentists cringe. Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip. Instead, keep scissors and bottle openers handy. Bottom line, your teeth should only be used for eating.

7.   Constant Snacking

Besides brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing and visiting a dentistregularly, try to avoid or limit the foods below. Sour Candies. It's not surprising that candy is bad for your mouth. Bread. Alcohol. Carbonated Drinks. Ice. Citrus. Potato Chips. Dried Fruits.

8.   Drinking Coffee

Despite the health benefits drinking coffee might have, too much consumption may not be good for the teeth. One cup of coffee a day increases the chances of cavities. Additionally, coffee can contribute to halitosis or bad breath because of its thick scent and the way it increases oral bacteria in the mouth.

9.   Chewing on Ice

Dangers of Chewing Ice, munching won't destroy your health like other addictions will. But the dentaldamage that comes from chewing on ice often include cracked and chipped teeth, damage to tooth enamel, problems with existing dental work such as fillings and crowns, and sore jaw muscles.

10.   Playing Sports With No Mouth Guard

The role of the mouthguard in the prevention of sports-related dental injuries: a review. ... implications for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and behavioural aspects of mouthguard wear. ... a number of sports does carry a considerable risk of sustaining dental injury, notonly in the so-called

At Home Whitening | Teeth Whitening - Home Remedies

How to Whiten Your Teeth At Home

These days, where you see celebrities plastered all over magazine covers smiling with perfectly white, straight teeth, it is understandable that many of our patients have been very interested in whitening their own teeth. Our in-office KOR whitening, as well as the take-home whitening kits, are both phenomenal systems, however, sometimes finances come into play and these systems are not affordable. We want to give our patients other alternatives, especially those who have invested a lot of energy and effort in sustaining a healthy mouth!


Steps to take for cleaner, whiter teeth:


1. Avoid sodas and dark colored beverages (i.e. red wine, tea, coffee, etc.) as much as possible. If you cannot give them up, make sure to drink through a straw in order to minimize the amount of liquid touching the teeth.


2. After having your morning cup of coffee, swish with water and spit it out in the sink so the leftover particles of coffee do not sit on your teeth for the rest of the day and cause stains.


3. Some foods to avoid are blueberries, blackberries, ketchup, and hard candies (anything that turns your tongue a neon color is affecting your teeth too!).


Recipes for at home whitening treatments:


1. Mix about two tablespoons of Hydrogen Peroxide with baking soda until it is the same consistency as regular toothpaste. Brush your teeth with that mixture and rinse afterwards. This paste can be used twice a week.


2. Another good whitening agent that most of us have at home is apple cider vinegar. Simply dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush your teeth. Rinse afterwards, since apple cider vinegar does contain acids.


3. A final tip for whitening is banana peels! Although we have not tried this one out, many experts say that if you peel a banana and rub the inside of the peel around on your teeth, leave it sit for two minutes and then brush your teeth you will see whitening effects. If you've tried this one, let us know about your experience!


**Always keep in mind that with any whitening treatment (whether it is at home or something stronger from your dental office) abrasive materials are in the ingredients and can cause some tooth sensitivity**


We hope these tips and recipes are helpful to you in your whitening journey! :)


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