Parents in Mississauga ask, “What is a mouthguard?”

Posted By: Dr. Rina M. Kotecha | Published On: Jun 11, 2019 | Mouthguards

As a parent, you probably find your child’s smile to be one of the most beautiful sights in the world. You want your little one to show inner radiance with comfort and confidence. That means taking steps to ensure that teeth and soft tissues stay healthy. You start a brushing routine early, teach proper flossing techniques, serve nutritious meals, and take your child to Dentistry on 10 in Mississauga for regular cleanings and checkups. But there’s one thing you might be overlooking – a mouthguard.

What is a mouthguard?

A mouthguard, sometimes called a sports guard or mouth protector, is a plastic device molded to fit over the upper arch of teeth. Its purpose is to reduce risk of injuries to teeth, tongue, lips, and cheeks from impact to the face or head. A mouthguard protects teeth from chips, breakage, nerve damage, and being knocked out. A lower mouthguard provides additional protection for orthodontics. There is also some evidence that a mouthguard can reduce risk of concussion.

When is a mouthguard needed?

A mouthguard is recommended for any activity where there is a chance of impact to the face or head. That includes an elbow on the basketball court, a soccer ball to the face, a tackle on the football field, or simply a fall from a bicycle, horse, or in the play yard.

When a mouthguard fits correctly, it doesn’t impede breathing or speech, and it is comfortable. Your child won’t resist wearing it. A good mouthguard is also durable and easy to clean.

Mouthguards may be purchased at most sporting goods stores, but your child’s mouth is unique. There is little chance that one of the standard sizes will fit well enough to provide adequate protection and comfort. A “boil and bite” guard allows a little customization, but they still usually come in just a few sizes.

For optimal safety and wearability, talk with Dr. Rina Kotecha about a custom-fit mouthguard. She takes impressions of your child’s mouth and creates a mouthguard that your little one will actually wear. It’s a simple step, but it can help your child enjoy a lifetime of healthy, natural teeth.

You can benefit from a mouthguard, too!

Orofacial protection isn’t just kid’s stuff! Do you participate in contact sports or other grown up activities that put your mouth at risk? Dr. Rina can create a mouthguard for you, too!

Call (905) 455-9262 to learn more about this important facet of dental wellness.

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Hi, my name is Naren. I have been coming to dentistry on 10 for at least five years, probably a lot longer than that. I first heard about Doctor Rena, through a friend of mine who was my roommate back in college and the, the, thing that attracted me to her right off the bat is she went to Harvard of course, you know Harvard is one of the top schools in the world, so you know studying at Harvard and Learning dentistry Harvard, I’ve never met anybody who went to Harvard, so that was the number one thing. But when I came here, it’s not the Harvard that I ended up staying here for. It’s because she’s a very caring person and she has a team that really is caring. So, for example, you know I, I, have some health conditions and you know taking care of my gums is really, really, important and I’m like not that good at taking care of myself. So you know she just, just, stuck with me, just kept at me and, you know, just taught me things and talk to me about things and you know. And when I did, you know, kind of mess up and you know, get gum disease again. You know she you know, stuck with me. So, like for me personally, I know people come for dentistry for lots of reasons, some people you know, care about their smile and things like that. For me personally, it’s the health because I have a history of health issues in my family and I know the importance of, you know, taking care of your gums and you overall mouth and health so I would strongly recommend Doctor Rena if you really care about your health. If you really want somebody who’s not just trying to, you know, give you things you don’t need, but really, who’s trying to focus on what’s good for you, helping you achieve your goals. She’s very caring, very, very patient, very, very, gentle and, and, she’s there for you. So, it’s almost like having a partner in health who’s working with you to make your life better. So, we all need it, and especially as we get older when we are in our 40s and 50s, we need to take care of our health and without doctor Rena I don’t think I would have the comes I have and I don’t think I would be working on my health. Thank you very much Doctor Rena and I would, absolutely without a hesitation, recommend anybody and my entire family comes here as well as my two kids and My wife. So, thank you for being an amazing dentist and thank you for caring about people who live in the neighbourhood and their health.

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