Dental Health in Seattle: Keep Your Teeth Safe from Harm

Dental Health, General Dentistry / September 21, 2018 by backup

There are more ways to exercise than ever before. In Seattle, we have personal trainers, all-purpose gyms, specialty facilities, and recreational sports. At Advanced Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry, we want to remind our patients that many activities pose a risk to dental health in Seattle.

When To Use A Mouth Guard

You might think that mouth protectors are only for ultimate fighters and football players, but mouth guards can and should be used during any activity where impact to the face is possible. This includes things like mountain biking, gymnastics, and pick-up basketball. When you have a properly fitted mouth protector, you can prevent broken or lost teeth as well as lip, tongue, and jaw injuries. Injuries attained during intense activities can pose serious issues to dental health in Seattle, so if you have questions about mouth guards ask your local dentist.

Obtaining A Mouth Guard

Mouth protectors come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit that well. You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores. They are to be softened in water and then formed to your mouth. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Custom-fitted mouth protectors can be made by your dentist to make sure you have a perfect fit. The soft tissues that line your cheeks and lips are especially susceptible to injury when you have braces or fixed bridge work. In addition, these appliances can also be damaged. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for patients undergoing these treatments. Your orthodontist may even recommend a mouth guard for your lower teeth as well. If you have questions about sports dentistry or dental health in Seattle, please contact our office and schedule an appointment. We also offer services like porcelain crowns, implant dentistry, and laser dentistry. Our staff looks forward to meeting you.