Are you protecting your teeth properly?
If you play sports of any kind you probably know someone who has had a mouth injury. But did you know up to 40 per cent of all dental injuries occur while playing sports? If that isn’t incentive enough to get properly and professionally fitted for a mouth guard, consider that the cost, over a lifetime, for just one tooth lost is approximately $5,000? Whatever your age, whatever sport you play, you can protect your smile and oral health with a properly fitted mouth guard.
Choosing a mouth guard
A mouth guard is an appliance made of soft plastic that is adapted to fit comfortably over your upper teeth. “Mouth guards are available from many retails stores and any mouth guard is better than no mouth guard, but one fitted properly by a denturist or oral healthcare professional is your best bet,” Christine L. Reekie, DD of Riverview Denture Clinic in Parry Sound. A properly fitted mouth guard will not only be comfortable so you’ll be more likely to wear it, but it will also provide protection against injury to teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue.
Caring for your mouth guard
Once you have a professionally fitted mouth guard you will want to ensure that it is well cared for by storing it in a hard plastic container when it is not being used. Prior to packing it away and after each use, your mouth guard should be properly washed using warm or cool water – never hot as this can damage the plastic. Before each use, you may want to rinse your mouth guard in mouth wash to provide a fresh, minty taste. With proper care and normal use, your mouth guard should last between two and three years.
You purchase all kinds of equipment for the sports you play, make sure a properly fitted mouth guard is part of your uniform.
For more information on mouth guards or to schedule an appointment to have a mouth guard fitting, contact Riverview Denture Clinic at 705-746-4290 or visit them online at www.riverviewdentureclinic.com.