Athletic Mouthguards

It has been estimated that wearing a mouth guard while playing sports will reduce concussions by 50%.
A mouthguard is a flexible plastic appliance that is worn during recreational and athletic activities to protect the teeth from trauma or loss and to prevent jaw fractures, neck injuries and concussion. It has been estimated that wearing a mouthguard will reduce concussions by 50%. Mouthguards also minimize lacerated and bruised lips and cheeks by keeping these soft tissue areas away from the teeth. This is especially true for youngsters with orthodontic braces.
The mouth is the most injured area of the body during contact sports. Wearing mouthguards is highly recommended for those participating in boxing, basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, soccer, wrestling, water polo and rugby.

The American Dental Association also suggests mouthguards for those partaking in acrobatics, gymnastics, volleyball, handball, racquetball, skiing, skydiving, squash, surfing, weightlifting, shot putting and discus throwing. Participants in recreational activities such as skateboarding and bicycling should wear mouthguards, especially in competition.

An effective mouthguard should remain in place during the activity while not interfering with speech or breathing. It should provide maximum protection and be comfortable to wear.
There are three types of mouthguards from which to choose:
Stock (Ready-made) - Most sporting goods stores carry these, and they are the least expensive. They are available in various sizes and shapes, but cannot be adjusted to fit your mouth. Often, they are loose and bulky and may interfere with speaking or breathing. These are the least desirable.
Mouth-formed ("Boil & Bite") - These are available in most sporting goods stores and are relatively inexpensive. The plastic mouthguard shell is boiled in water for 10-45 seconds, cooled under tap water and molded and adapted directly in the mouth. Compared to custom-made guards, the fit is not as accurate, and it may not last as long.
Custom-made - This type is highly recommended and the most effective. Dentists make them at the office or order them from a laboratory from a cast of your teeth. While they are a little bit more expensive than the store-bought variety, they provide the greatest protection and comfort. It is well worth the price for your safety and peace of mind.

Like any other sports gear, mouthguards can wear out and lose their effectiveness. They may have to be replaced after each sports season. However, proper care will increase their longevity. Heat is bad for mouthguards, because it may cause them to deform. Keep them out of direct sunlight and never leave them in a closed car. Rinse them under cold water with each use, and occasionally use soap and cold water to clean them. When not in use, either store your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic box or in a container immersed in water. Do not handle or try to wear someone else's mouthguard. Visit our website: teethandgums.org

If you have Diabetes, you must take steps to keep your mouth healthy.

(From: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Diabetes/DiabetesDentalTips.htm)

If you have diabetes, follow these steps:

• Control your blood glucose.
  
• Brush and floss every day.
  
• Visit your dentist regularly. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes.
  
• Tell your dentist if your dentures (false teeth) do not fit right, or if your teeth and gums are sore.
  
• Quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse. Your physician or dentist can help you quit.

Take time to check your mouth regularly for any problems. Sometimes people notice that their gums bleed when they brush and floss. Others notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are reasons to call Drs. Bernstein & Auerbach, dentists in New City, NY. They can help you monitor your dental health in connection with your overall health and your diabetes.

Remember, good blood glucose control can help prevent mouth problems.

Your Baby & Teething

Lightly rubbing a baby's gums with 2-by-2-inch gauze pads several times a day when they are teething will lessen eruption pain.
On the average, a baby will start to get its first teeth at about six months. Tooth eruption (teething) can cause discomfort for your baby, as well as many sleepless nights for you. During teething periods, your baby may exhibit excess drooling, runny nose, low-grade temperature and/or overall crankiness. To help this situation, you may purchase some 2-by-2-inch gauze pads at your pharmacy and lightly rub your baby's gums with them several times a day. This will remove a thin layer of plaque that forms on the gums, thus lessening eruption pain. Most babies will find this massaging very soothing, and some will derive pleasure from sucking on the gauze or your finger.

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Canker Sores

When experiencing canker sores, avoid eating rough textured or spicy foods that will irritate them.
IS YOUR SORE CANTANKEROUS?
Canker sores (apthous ulcers) are often confused with fever blisters (cold sores). They are quite different, however. Canker sores are only found inside the mouth on the gums, cheeks, tongue or floor of the mouth. They cannot be transmitted from one individual to another.Cold sores are found outside the mouth, usually on the lips but may appear on the chin, outside of the cheek or the nostrils. They begin as a red blister, burst and crust over. The cycle takes 7-14 days to heal.
Cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, are contagious and are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. The virus is dormant most of the time and is carried by almost everyone. Fever blisters occur most often in young adults and adolescents and decline in people over 35 years of age. Certain factors activate their outbreak, particularly stress, colds, fevers and/or sunburn. To reduce occurrences, avoid kissing when the blisters are visible; don't squeeze or scrape the blister; wash your hands thoroughly before touching someone else; and use UV sunscreen on your lips before spending time in the sun.
Treatment of cold sores includes avoiding spicy and hot foods that will irritate them, applying phenol-containing over-the-counter ointments and administering some anti-viral antibiotics that will shorten their duration but not prevent their outbreak.
Canker sores begin as small red circular swellings that usually ulcerate (rupture) within a day, after which they become white, surrounded by reddish inflammation. They last 8-10 days. As open sores, they can be very painful to the touch.
Canker sores afflict about 20% of the population. Their cause has yet to be discovered, although they appear to break out more in stressful situations, from getting a small "nick" in the skin (mucous membrane) or from foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes. While they can occur in very young children, they are usually first seen between the ages of 10 and 20. It's not uncommon for them to erupt three to four times a year, but they occur less frequently or stop altogether in adults.
When experiencing canker sores, avoid rough textured or spicy foods that will irritate them. Try not to touch them with eating utensils or your toothbrush. Apply ointment that contains a topical anesthetic or some other active ingredient that will relieve the irritation. Call your dentist for some recommendations.
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Taking Care of Baby Teeth

Parents need to begin brushing a child's teeth around six months or when the first primary teeth begin to appear.

The first visit to the dentist should be between 30 and 42 months of age depending on the child's development.Primary teeth are important for several reasons. They allow the child to chew properly, maintain space for the later eruption of the permanent teeth, and are needed for proper speech development. Early loss of primary teeth can lead to future space crowding problems as the permanent teeth erupt. Orthodontic correction may be required. In addition early loss of primary teeth may cause some psychosocial issues for the child because of speech or appearance problems.
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Tooth Trauma

If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, it is critical to get the person and their tooth to the dental office within one half hour.

Lost (Avulsed) Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, time is of the essence. Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. It is critical to get the person and their tooth to the dental office within one half hour. This makes it possible to re-implant the tooth with a high degree of success. Find the tooth and, holding it by its crown, gently rinse it to remove dirt and/or debris. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket as a means of transport. Otherwise, transport it in a cup of milk, salt water, or saliva. If none of these are available, use a cup of plain water. (Place the tooth between the cheek and gum, unless the child is too young).

Loosened (Extruded) Teeth
If a tooth is pushed either inward or outward, try to reposition it using light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth into its socket. Try to get the injured person to a dentist as soon as possible. The tooth may be stabilized and held in place with a moist tissue or gauze on the way.
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Fluoride

If your water district doesn't add fluoride to the water supply, your baby should be receiving drops of a fluoride/vitamin combination as soon as possible after birth.

The first permanent molars are already calcifying by age three months. It is in this formative stage that the tooth will incorporate the greatest amount of fluoride. Systemic fluoride is a safe and effective way to dramatically reduce dental decay, along with the cost of dental treatment.
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