Dear Dr. Mady:
I am a twenty-one year old who has a great love for baseball. I was recently advised by my dentist that I should be wearing a mouthguard for this and all sports. Is a mouthguard really necessary? Shaun in LaSalle
Dear Shaun,
Absolutely!! Do not allow yourself to become a victim of preventable sports injury. Listen to your dentist and wear a mouthguard. I do realize that they are not mandatory as a part of attire or equipment for any sport but their worth is non-arguable.
As a dentist I have seen many injuries that could have been prevented if only a mouthguard was worn. They not only limit damage to teeth but help protect the cheeks, lips, gums, tongues and even assist in stopping concussions. Any type of blow that an athlete may take in the head or neck area can be cushioned by a mouthguard.
Taking all of this into consideration, it is important to realize that there is not only one type of mouthguard. Available kinds include custom-made, mouth-formed, or ready-made. The custom type is fabricated by your dentist on a plaster model or your exact mouth and jaws for complete coverage. They usually are very comfortable and will not interfere with breathing. These offer the best protection and fit although they are more costly than other types.
Mouth-formed mouth guards are the type that have to be boiled in water and have to be softened up. Even though your dentist can assist you in fitting these they are an inferior choice due to the fact that they will not work well on patients who wear braces, they do not cover all the anatomy that they should for full protection and they usually become brittle with time and ultimately useless.
The third type, cheapest and least user friendly are the ready-made mouth guards. These are formed out of polyvinyl or rubber. They are the least effective and could cause more damage during trauma in some cases. I won’t even explain what they’re all about except to tell you that I do not recommend their use.
So teach yourself or ask your dentist about the most common oral injuries associated with the sports that you play and protect yourself by wearing a mouthguard. Use the custom-made type fitted by your dentist, especially if you wear braces or other oral appliances. Never wear removable partial dentures or any removable dental devices for that matter during sports or exercise. Whatever your sport or age, mouth guards are an excellent form of safety. You are only given one set of permanent teeth so do whatever you can to protect them, your smile and also to preserve your health.
Any questions for Dr. Mady can be e-mailed to drmady@drmady.com and also visit his blog at www.dentalden.com (dental education network)
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This column is reprinted with the permission of the author and The Windsor Star. “Ask the Dentist” is written by Windsor dentist (and ECDS member), Dr. David Mady Jr.. The column appears the first Thursday of each month in the Windsor Star. Readers with questions can write to “Ask The Dentist”, c/o The Windsor Star, 167 Ferry St., Windsor Ontario, N9A 4M5