Team Dentist
Gwinnett
Gladiators
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A Guide New: The Maher
Mouthguard (link) |
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Are You Sure You and Your Child |
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You want to have the best protection against sports injury. But do you know if you are getting the best protection? Here is a little information to help you decide if you are getting the dental protection that you need. It is impossible to eliminate all sports injuries, but we can try and reduce the risk. Dental injuries in sports * You increase your chances of damaging your teeth by 60 times if you are not wearing a mouthguard during a sports activity. * Injury to your teeth will usually result in permanent disfigurement to your most visible upper front teeth. * Estimates show that over a lifetime dental costs associated with a tooth that is knocked out and not replanted can be as much as $20,000. * If children begin to wear a mouthguard at an early age , there is a much greater chance that they will continue to do so for the rest of their sporting career. 7 BENEFITS OF A PROPERLY FITTED AND WORN MOUTHGUARD * Helps to reduce the chance of concussion. * Allows you to compete more competitively and perform with more confidence * Reduces the risk of cuts, bruising, and disfigurement to your mouth and face. * They are more comfortable to wear, making it easier to breath and speak. * Reduces the chance of your teeth being fractured or lost. * Reduces jaw fractures and jaw dislocations. * Research shows it reduces the risk of neck injuries. DENTAL PROFESSIONALS RECOMMEND WEARING A CUSTOM MADE MOUTH GUARD * The American Dental Association and the Australian Dental Association recommend custom made mouthguards that are formed under pressure, by a special custom laminator. * Universities in Germany have proved that fitted and worn laminated mouthguards offer more protection. * University tests have proven that a Custom Laminated Mouthguard is far superior in fit and protection to the ‘Boil and Bite? guards that are sold in retail shops. |
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THE MOUTH GUARD FIT IS IMPORTANT |
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| * A custom fitted mouthguard has a reduce risk of being knocked loose. * Offers more protection and comfort * Allows for easier breathing. |
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Stock mouthguard or boil-and-bite mouthguard which does not fit well
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Custom made mouthguard which fits well
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| WHAT MOUTHGUARD IS MOST SUITED FOR ME? | |
| We understand that different players in different sports, of all ages may all be playing at different levels of competition. That is why it is important to speak to your dental profession to get advise on the best level of protection. A custom laminated mouthguard is design for your needs. |
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| LIGHT GUARDS |  |
| These mouth guards are usually worn for lower impact sports, such as wrestling, volleyball, mountain biking and motocross. | |
| MEDIUM GUARDS |  |
| These guards are referred to as the universal mouth guard. They are suitable for the majority of school sports clubs such as, soccer, rugby, basketball, softball, rollerblading, skating and skateboarding. | |
| HEAVY GUARDS |  |
| Heavy impact mouthguards are often used at a more representative level, for things like, baseball, football, racquetball, martial arts of boxing. | |
| SUPER HEAVY GUARDS |  |
| These guards are best suited for competition that involves extremely heavy impacts. They are also designed to be worn in sports that use rackets or sticks. For example: Ice, field, or street hockey, or kickboxing. |
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| HOW CAN I JUSTIFY THE EXPENSE OF A CUSTOM MOUTH GUARD? | |
| There have been great advances in the technology and protection that mouth guards can provide. There are many reasons for considering the better alternatives. If you choose the ‘Boil and
Bite" mouth guard, you may experience discomfort and possible blistering in the mouth from the ill fit. You could have difficulty speaking and breathing. All of these things may alter your sports performance and your enjoyment of the game. A properly fitted, custom laminated mouthguard will provide you with more protection, more comfort, and more choices. Overcoming
objections to mouthguards: what you need to know! |
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| PROTECTING THE YOUNG PLAYERS | |
| Mouth guards for younger players may offer a greater challenge as far as being fitted for the guard. With rapidly changing teeth, and possibility of the child having braces or some form of orthodontics taking place, it is especially important to have a custom laminated mouthguard that you Dental professional can provide. Parents with limited finances may be concerned about children losing or hiding their mouth guards, a name and telephone number can be sealed in the mouthguard so that is they are missed placed or lost, there is a chance that they can be returned. If the mouth guard is comfortable, and made up of fun colors and graphic designs, the child will be more likely to wear it. With out a doubt, children who wear the custom fitted mouth guards at an early age will continue this habit into the future. |
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| THE ROLE OF PARENTS, TRAINERS AND TEACHERS | |
| Our role is to encourage that mouthguards be worn for all sports and recreation activities when there is a chance for facial injury. We have to remember the long term affects of lost teeth in teens. All players need to consider what sports that they are playing, at what level of competition. Think about the way your teammates play or better yet how your opponents play. Even players in the minor league can be quite intense. Think about the confidence you will have playing with a mouth guard that feels like it is part of you and not acting as a distraction. Don’t forget to wear your mouth guard during practice or training sessions. Remember when a tooth is lost it is lost forever, and with the proper custom laminated mouth guard you will have more choice, protection and more comfort, all translating in to you having a better game. (Photos of Dr. Williams at the International Academy for Sports Dentistry Annual Symposium in San Juan, Puerto Rico: I II )
Link to Sports Dentistry Web Site |
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