Dental injuries are the most common type of injuries to the face, and 60% of facial injuries occur during sports practice. An athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer damage to the teeth when not wearing a mouth guard. 

A mouth guard is a flexible piece of plastic that fits around the upper teeth and protects them from injury. In addition to protecting against direct damage to the teeth, by cushioning the lips and cheeks from the teeth or orthodontic appliances, a mouth guard helps prevent laceration and bruising. A mouth guard can also prevent serious injuries caused when the lower jaw is jammed into the upper jaw, including concussion, cerebral hemorrhage, jaw fractures and neck injuries. 

There are several types of mouth guards. When choosing one, remember that a mouth guard should be flexible, comfortable, durable, odorless, tasteless, and easy to clean. A mouth guard should fit properly so that it protects your mouth, but does not interfere with breathing or speaking. 

The least expensive mouth guard is a stock one sold in sporting goods stores. They come in small, medium, and large and are held in place by biting down. The disadvantage of these mouth guards is that the fit is not adjustable and may not protect your teeth as well as a more fitted model would. Holding these guards in place requires that you bite down, so they can interfere with speech and breathing. 

The most commonly used type of mouth guard is also sold in sporting goods stores. They’re called “boil and bite mouth guards,” because they’re softened in boiling water and then formed to fit your mouth ( DO NOT USE IF HAVE BRACES !) . This type of mouth guard costs a little more than the stock types, but because it is formed around your teeth, it fits and protects your mouth better. However, it still may not cover all your teeth properly. 

The best mouth guard for preventing injury is one that is custom made for you by your dentist. This type is a bit more expensive, but it is the most effective at protecting your mouth, face and head. Because it is custom fit to your teeth, it’s also the most comfortable to wear. When you consider that the cost of fixing one broken tooth is more expensive than having a mouth guard custom made, the value is obvious.

Whatever type of mouth guard you choose, you should wear it for any activity in which there is a chance of contact with other participants or hard surfaces. Mouth guards aren’t just for football and hockey. If you or your child rides a bicycle, participates in gymnastics, volleyball, skateboarding, or any sport or activity in which a facial or dental injury might occur, a mouth guard is a necessity. Half of all dental injuries can be prevented, and a mouth guard is an important aid in protecting your teeth, face and mouth. 

For more infomation on emergencies go to http://www.thesmilesolution.com/Patient-Info/Emergency-Info.aspx

It’s good for more than a great smile! You can never have too much toothpaste around. In doing research I found a few additional things toothpaste can do for you. Here’s what it can do:

• Polishes silver coffee servers or jewelry (removes tarnish) – don’t use on pearls or opal, though.
• Fills nail holes in the wall (white toothpaste, of course).
• Adheres posters to walls without damage.
• Adheres bows to baby’s hair (gel toothpaste); it washes out and it doesn’t pull out the baby’s hair.
• Takes the sting and itch out of bug bites with just a dab.
• Removes crayon from walls – rub white toothpaste on marks with damp cloth, then rinse cloth and remove and residue.
• Cleans under fingernails with dab on a nail brush or old toothbrush.
• Cleans running shoes (white toothpaste).
• Gives a mirror finish when grinding steel or aluminum.
• Clears up a zit with a dab at night.
• Brushes your teeth (as a last resort).

Try them out!

A careful orthodontic patient can probably eat almost any food and do no damage to their appliances. However, these food may cause trouble so please do not eat hard foods: nuts, ice, crisp taco shells, whole apples and carrots (cut them into pieces first), hard French bread crust and rolls, spareribs, corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob before eating), and popcorn. These foods risk breaking brackets and wires. Also beware of nail biting and pen or pencil chewing habits, since these can damage your braces. Do not eat sticky foods: taffy, caramels, bubble gum, sticky candy of any sort. Use common sense about most foods. For more information on what foods to eat and which ones to avoid, go to: www.thesmilesolution.com/diet.asp

Dental floss is a nylon thread that is used to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Flossing is more difficult when you have braces on your teeth. A floss threader may be needed to get the floss under the archwire. Use a piece of floss about 12 inches long. Use the floss threader to get the floss under the wire. Slide the floss up and down along the tooth surface. When the tooth is clean the floss will “squeak” as you slide it up and down along the tooth surface. Be very careful to not pull with too much force on your archwire.

Daily flossing is essential to your dental health. Often neglected, flossing helps improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Flossing assists in cleaning many of the “hard to reach” spots in your mouth, spots that regular brushing generally misses. Flossing gets 30% of your tooth surface your toothbrush does not reach. By flossing, you alleviate much of the plaque buildup that often causes gum disease.

Although flossing is more difficult with braces, it is critical to your orthodontic treatment. Always floss at least twice a day: once after lunch, and once before bedtime. Proper flossing reduces the risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay. For more imformation go to our website www.TheSmileSolution.com