Mouthguards
Mouthguards provide much needed protection in a variety of situations. From teeth grinding to sports activities, these guards can protect your teeth from wear and tear, as well as unnecessary and unexpected damage that can result from an unexpected sports related injury. While you can purchase many mouthguards in over the counter drugstores it may be best to have a mouthguard custom fitted for you.
Your dentist should be able to fit you for a mouthguard, no matter what you intend on using it for. If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night, a dentist may recommend a guard while you sleep. This will prevent your teeth from being worn down by excessive grinding. If you are an athlete, your dentist can fit you for a mouthguard that can be worn during sporting activities to prevent tooth damage that can occur while playing high impact sports. No two mouths are alike, and so it is beneficial to be fitted for a guard that’s fit perfectly for you and your mouth. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and custom mold a mouthguard that will fit perfectly around your teeth and gums. In a matter of weeks you will have a perfectly fitting guard that will protect your teeth and keep them healthy and strong.
Your mouthguard should be comfortable, and shouldn’t rub on your gums. Purchasing a guard over-the-counter can cause irritation and gum bleeding. If the mouthguard doesn’t fit properly it can rub and irritate your gums, and can become very uncomfortable. If the mouthguard cuts your gums, this can cause infection in your mouth, creating a bigger problem. Because of this, most dentists will recommend you get custom fitted for a guard that’s made to fit perfectly and snugly around your teeth for optimum protection. Protect your teeth with a mouthguard that’s made just for you.
Unexpected Dental Repairs
Everyone has accidents, and unfortunately those accidents can sometimes cause damage to our teeth and gums that require repair. Sometimes these incidences involve biting down on an apple too hard, and other times the accident is more serious. Whether you’ve been in a sporting accident or an automobile accident, if you’ve damaged your teeth all is not lost. An experienced dentist will be able to make the appropriate repairs to your teeth so your mouth looks and feels as good as new.
If you’ve been in an accident and have lost a tooth, it may be possible to insert the same tooth back into your gums. If possible, look around the area to see if you can find the tooth, and if you find it, hold on to it and go to the emergency room or dentist immediately. In many cases a dentist is able to insert the tooth back into the gum if not too much time has passed. If you cannot find the tooth, your dentist will be able to create you a beautiful and natural looking replacement easily. It’s important to realize that after an accident damages your teeth, time is of the utmost importance. The sooner you visit a dentist, the better chance of preserving your natural teeth. If your tooth has been cracked or broken, often times a dentist will use a veneer or a crown in order to cover the tooth and replace it with a fully functional artificial tooth that works just as the rest of your teeth do.
It’s easy to panic after an accident, especially if it results in the damage or loss of your teeth. However, by seeking the help of a qualified dentist your smile will look as good as new, if not better than before your accident. If you’ve accidentally broken your tooth, stay calm and contact your dentist immediately.
Is Mouthwash Necessary?
Toothpaste companies all over the world are making a living marketing mouthwash to consumers. There are so many mouthwashes on the market, from strong and alcoholic washes, to whitening rinses that many consumers are left with their head spinning from all the choices. Many people enjoy using mouthwash, while others feel the taste is too strong, and prefer not to use it. This begs the question, is mouthwash really necessary?
Not necessarily. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has deemed that mouthwash does not necessarily aid in the removal of food particles and plaque. It’s also important to remember that mouthwash is NOT a replacement for regular brushing and/or flossing, and should not be considered such. Many people fear bad breath, and choose to swish with mouthwash before they leave the house to alleviate the bad breath. On the contrary, mouthwash does little to remove bad breath, and does more to cover it up. Regular brushing and flossing will do more to remove plaque from your mouth than mouthwash can. If you’re worried about the strength of your teeth and gums, you may wish to use a fluoride rinse to help strengthen your teeth. Fluoride rinses are mostly recommended for children in their growing years.
Visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning, and do everything you can to maintain clean teeth and gums. Doing so will prevent tooth decay and can keep gingivitis away from your mouth. Mouthwash, while not necessarily harmful for your mouth, may not do a lot in the way of preserving the strength of your teeth. Instead, maintain a healthy mouth by regular brushing twice a day, and by flossing once a day. Keep your mouth clean and your gums strong, and bad breath will be kept at bay, as will the need for major dental work.
Dental Care is an Everyday Practice
Taking care of your teeth is an essential part of our hygiene. Most people realize the need to visit your dentist every six months for a regular cleaning, and to make sure there are no repairs that need to be made to your teeth. It’s equally important to realize proper dental care, and how it should be part of your everyday hygienic practice.
Brushing is of the utmost importance, and should be completed AT LEAST twice a day. It is recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal, but for many people this is not a possibility, so be sure to brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Brush your teeth for at least three minutes, and do a thorough job. Brush the front and back of your teeth, and gently clean and brush your gums. It’s not enough to let your dentist take care of this type of brushing; it is important to perform this type of thorough brushing each time you clean your teeth. Equally important is flossing your teeth everyday. Most people do not like to floss, and find it to be inconvenient. However, flossing everyday can remove plaque and trapped food from between your gums, and can strengthen your gums – all of which can prevent gum disease and bad breath. This is why it is so important to make the time to floss your teeth once a day. Many people also choose to use a mouthwash as the final component of their daily dental hygiene routine. The type of mouthwash you use is up to you, just be sure to swish it around in your mouth and spit it out right after you are finished.
Making these steps part of your daily routine will prevent many harmful diseases and will negate the need for expensive and uncomfortable dental care. While it takes time to complete these things, it is a necessary part of prevention for your teeth, and will maintain healthy teeth and gums. Talk with your dentist about other great dental tips to keep your mouth healthy.