Mouthguards
Dr. Kotecha and her associates encourage patients who are active in sports to consider using mouthguards to protect their smiles. Mouthguards are made of plastic and are worn over the teeth to protect them from trauma. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that anyone who participates in a full-contact sport wear a mouthguard. They can be used to protect teeth, gums, and orthodontic work.
There are three primary types of mouthguards available.
It is important to take care of your mouthguard to help it last a long time. Mouthguards should only be worn by the person they were made for, and should never be shared. They should be handled properly, stored in a well-ventilated container, and washed after each use with soap and cool water. Mouthguards typically last about a year, or less, depending on how often they are used, and the quality of the materials used. Never chew on the mouth guard, as this weakens the material, and have your dentist check your mouthguard at each visit to ensure that it is in proper working order.
Dr. Kotecha and her associates encourage patients who play in full-contact sports such as football, soccer, and hockey to wear a mouth guard to protect their smiles. Restorative treatments for knocked-out teeth or broken teeth can be costly and might be avoided by wearing mouthguards. Call the team at Dentistry On 10 to learn more about mouthguards and the purpose they play in keeping smiles beautiful—and intact—for life!