As an athlete, it is important to visit a general dentist on a regular basis. Keeping teeth healthy is the first line of defense against them becoming damaged while playing sports. When teeth become infected or gum disease is in the mouth, teeth are weakened and more likely to fall out or break when bumped into. Regular teeth cleanings twice a year can help to prevent oral infections by removing bacteria and plaque before it has the opportunity to create problems. If we identify any signs of cavities during these dental exams, we can treat them right away before they can create additional problems. This is an important step in keeping teeth healthy and strong.
At home, you can help your teeth to stay in good shape by brushing with fluoride toothpaste and regularly flossing. It is also important to drink plenty of water so that your body can produce the saliva it needs to wash away bacteria and food particles. A healthy diet can also strengthen teeth and should include green leafy vegetables, crunchy fruit and veggies, nuts, dairy, and lean protein. Eating these foods will help to re-mineralize teeth so that they can be strong and withstand the effects of a sports injury.
In our general dentist office, we also recommend that patients wear a mouth guard while playing sports. We can create one with the perfect fit that can be worn when practicing or playing a game. A mouth guard will hold the teeth in place and absorb some of the shock when hit. The American Dental Association has stated that over 200,000 high school and college football players are protected from injury every year, due to mouth guards. They can be used in other sports as well and should be. In fact, the University of California found that 11 out of every 100 basketball players reported dental injuries over the course of nine years at the school. Basketball players are not required to wear mouth guards, and most don't. By simply wearing them, like their football peers, many basketball players could avoid injury.
Mouth guards can be worn by younger children, as well. If your child is in elementary and playing basketball, baseball, soccer, football or any other sport, wearing a guard can protect their teeth. This is incredibly important because youth have fewer options when it comes to replacing teeth than adults too. Additionally, no parent wants to see their child suffering or in pain. When faced with the option of wearing a guard or having a tooth fall out – wearing a guard is significantly better and less invasive.
For athletes whose teeth do become damaged in a sporting accident, we can correct and restore them. As a general dentist, we have several options for doing so. We can use dental veneers to correct cracks and chips, dental crowns to restore teeth that have lost a lot of enamel or have a severe crack, and dental implants and bridges that can replace missing teeth. To keep your teeth safe, start by scheduling a dental exam and teeth cleaning.
General dentistry focuses on routine oral health care for patients of all ages. This includes oral maintenance such as cleanings and examinations, as well as general treatments and preventive care. Preventive care often gets overlooked as it relates to general dentistry, however, it plays a key role in oral health. Keep reading to learn more…
Looking for information on common dental visit issues? If you are currently experiencing one of more issues with your oral health, then finding out more about what is going on is a good idea. When there is something wrong with your teeth or gums, the sooner you find out why, the better. If you do…
A general dentist might recommend that patients get x-rays during a dental appointment. X-rays serve many purposes in dentistry, from providing a closer look at the health of the oral cavity to checking a child’s bite alignment. Although certain factors necessitate the need for dental x-rays, there is a basic guideline used by general dentists…
Loose teeth require immediate attention from a general dentist. Without treatment, the teeth can fall out, which would result in a need for replacement. Thankfully, general dentists have a lot of treatment options. Wondering what can cause loose teeth? Some of the more common reasons why someone would experience a loose tooth is because they are…