National Facial Protection Month

April is National Facial Protection Month. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs are proud to have so many families rely on us for the care of their smiles. To ensure that athletes are taking as good preventive care as possible, we thought this would be the perfect time to discuss mouthguard use.

Mouthguards come in a variety of options, but it’s generally better to have one than not. However, it is in the wearer’s interest for it to be as well-fitted as possible. Not only will it provide better protection, it won’t need to be as bulky and shouldn’t cause difficulty breathing. Dentists can custom-fit mouthguards, but there are boil-and-bite models available in sports stores and through online retailers. The manufacturer’s website will provide information about how to care for it, but it should generally be kept dry in a case that is cleaned daily.

Most youth sports require athletes to wear mouthguards. It’s also a good idea to wear them while doing activities in which there is a high risk of falling, such as skating and cycling. Adolescents especially should keep in mind that their teeth are shifting position quickly, and that their mouthguards frequently need to be refitted. Updating a mouthguard may be a normal part of an orthodontic appointment.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Different Types of Dental Mouthguards

Mouth guards should be used by anyone – children and adults – who play contact sports such as football, boxing, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. However, even participating in noncontact sports (gymnastics) and any recreational activity (skateboarding, mountain biking) that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth would benefit from wearing a protective mouthguard as well. At Southern Cross Dental, Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, and Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, offer a variety of mouthguards to fit your needs.

Though there are literally thousands of mouth guard brands, most brands fall into three major categories: stock mouth guards, boil and bite mouth guards, and customized mouth guards. Stock mouth guards can be bought directly off the shelf and immediately fitted into the mouth. The fit is universal (one-size-fits-all), meaning that the mouth guard doesn’t adjust. Boil and bite mouth guards are usually made from thermoplastic and are easily located at most sporting goods stores. First, the thermoplastic must be immersed in hot water to make it pliable, and then it must be pressed on the teeth to create a custom mold. Customized mouth guards offer the greatest degree of protection and are custom-made by the dentist. First, the dentist makes an impression of the teeth using special material, and then the mouth guard is constructed over the mold.

If you have questions or concerns about choosing a mouth guard please contact our office or visit www.southerncrossfamilydental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navid Rahimpour DDS, or Dr. Faranak Rahimpour DDS, at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.