The importance of mouthguards for athletes

With the arrival of spring, it marks the start of baseball and softball season. There are many options to protect your child from unnecessary mouth trauma. Typically mouth guards cover the teeth, and are designed to protect the mouth from trauma, such as: broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to the mouth. A mouth guard should be worn by anyone that participates in a contact sport, any activity that might result in injury to the mouth.

A custom mouth guard can be made in our office at an additional cost this ensures the proper fit, which makes it more comfortable and the best protection. Mouth guards can be made in a variety of colors. All professional athletes wear custom made mouth guards.

However, patients that are in braces or have an appliance cannot wear a custom mouth guard. These patients need to wear a pliable mouth guard (there is no charge) that allows their teeth to still move.

Check with our office before the season begins for a pliable mouth guard or a custom made one.

Are you wearing your mouthguard? From Dr. Bernard

With fall sports almost here for a lot of our patients at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics, we thought today would be a great time to remind all our young athletes in treatment to take care of both their mouth and appliances while participating in sports – especially contact sports such as soccer and football – this fall.

One of the most important pieces of sports equipment you can wear on the field is a mouthguard. A well-fitted mouthguard, which we’re happy to provide, allows you to breathe and speak more clearly, in addition to protecting your mouth and braces. Only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. The next time you’re in for a visit with Drs. Bernard & Eimer, we encourage you to ask us for a mouthguard! In addition, the American Association of Orthodontists has five quick tips for keeping kids safe during sport activities this fall.

• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eyewear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant, even as a spectator

We hope you’re enjoying your summer, and invite you all to share your summer photos on our Facebook page!

Summer FAQs with Dr. Bernard

It's almost summer, which means folks with braces are more active with sports and outside activities. There are some questions that many of our patients ask about taking care of teeth and braces during this very time.

1. How do I protect my braces and teeth when playing sports?
Ans.: You should always wear a mouthguard. With braces, we provide a mouthguard for all patients that covers the braces and protects the lips and checks and still allows the teeth to move.

2. What activities should I use a mouthguard for?
Ans.: All contact sports but also anything that could cause a fall or minor trauma such as rollerblading, rock and mountain climbing, mountain biking, and even regular biking (I broke a rib and punctured a lung riding alone on a paved road!).

3. What if my tooth gets knocked out of position?
Ans.: Call us immediately! (or your dentist). The tooth can be pushed back into the proper position if done right away. If you wait until tomorrow, it will have to be moved back with braces.

4. What if my tooth gets knocked out?
Ans.: Pick it up gently. (do not clean it off with anything). If dirty, gently rinse and put it into a glass of milk and call us or your dentist and we can put it back into the socket.

5. Should I take my retainer out to play sports?
Ans.: YES – and put your “custom” mouthguard in (made by us or your dentist) after braces are removed. Also remove your retainer while diving in a pool or swimming with waves or engaging in any activity that could cause it to be knocked out and lost.

Your teeth make your smile. Protect them and you can have a beautiful smile for a lifetime.

April is National Facial Protection Month!

With spring here, many of our patients at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics will once again pick up the ball, bring the bat out of seasonal retirement, and lace up their cleats to hit the fields for the return of spring sports! April is National Facial Protection Month, and during this time, Drs. Bernard & Eimer both urge our young athletes to play it safe when out on the field. According to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, children, high-school athletes and adults will have more than 5,000,000 teeth knocked out in sporting events this year.

Here are a few ways to ensure your mouth’s safety this spring, courtesy of our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists:

1. Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
2. Wear a helmet
3. Wear protective eyewear
4. Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
5. Be alert, even as a spectator

We hope that helps. Protective gear is vital for anyone engaging in tooth or mouth-threatening activities. If you have any further questions about any of these tips, please contact our office). Stay safe and have fun!

Reminder! Mouth guards are important!

April is National Facial Protection Month and we urge all athletes to protect their teeth whether wearing braces or not. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation indicates more than 5,000,000 teeth are knocked out each year in organized sports or other activities.

Our Practice will provide you with a special orthodontic mouth guard while braces are in place. This type covers the braces on top and bottom to protect the lips and cheeks as well as the braces and teeth. It is more loose fitting than a regular mouth guard because the teeth are constantly moving and a form-fitted mouth guard would prevent tooth movement or would not fit from day to day unless re-made. You are much less likely to lose a tooth while in braces because they are wired together but they can still be fractured or the lips and cheeks can be lacerated by the braces or impaled on them.

Once your braces have been removed, you should ask us or your dentist for a custom mouth guard which not only protects your teeth and jaws but serves as a retainer to hold the teeth in the proper position. Then remember to wear it for all contact sports, including those played in the playground or backyard. One quick blow to the mouth can spoil a smile and a few years of braces.