When suiting up for sports this summer, don’t forget to protect your smile!
It can be easy to forget about your oral health when it comes to playing summer sports, but doing so is a mistake! While we love seeing all of our dental patients, we want to prevent emergency visits whenever possible. Check out our tips for protecting your teeth while playing this summer!
1) Wear a Mouthguard for Contact Sports
There are plenty of contact sports to be enjoyed in the summer, from baseball to soccer! Using a mouthguard is a simple, cost effective way to protect your child or yourself from unnecessary pain and expense due to a mouth injury. Whether playing organized summer sports, or a pickup game with friends, make sure you take your mouthguard along. Mouthguards come in a variety of styles and colors.
- Standardized Mouthguards: Available at most drug and athletic stores, these are the least expensive and most easily accessible. Although they provide the least protection, stock mouth guards are “better than nothing” and can be purchased in a pinch.
- Mouth-Formed Guards: While slightly more expensive, this type of guard forms to a person’s teeth for a more custom fit. Protectors that are mouth-formed can also be purchased at many sporting goods stores.
- Custom Mouthguards: Custom guards offer the most protection for your mouth, along with the most comfortable fit. Custom mouthguards are created by dentists, and while they are the most expensive option, people who require the use of a mouthguard often find the cost well worth it.
2) Be Mindful of Your Teeth When Swimming
If you are a frequent swimmer, wear goggles so that you are sure to see well and avoid running into anything that might damage your teeth. If you are one of many swimmers who suffer from “swimmer’s calculus” (a yellow stain that can be brought on by spending lots of time in chemically treated water), be sure to see the dentist for a thorough teeth cleaning!
3) Wear A Helmet
Think a helmet is just for your head? Think again! Helmets can protect not only the top of your head, but your face and mouth as well. Falls and bicycle crashes are all too common in the summer, but a cracked tooth or worse may be avoidable simply by wearing a helmet!
Make sure to keep your family smiling by protecting your mouth this summer! Staying active is even more fun when you stay safe. If you are inspired to get a custom mouth guard or come in for a cleaning, give us a call at Richview Family Dentistry. We pride ourselves on our warm, welcoming environment where you’ll actually enjoy a visit to the dentist!
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