Riverside Dental

Riverside:
435-673-3363
Washington:
435-656-4441
Make An Appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Riverside Drive Office
    • Washington Office
  • Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Bruxism
    • Composite Fillings
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Dentures
    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Veneers
  • New Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
  • Community
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Financing
  • Contact

Summer Smiles! Gearing Up for Summer Sports

June 21, 2022 By Riverside Dental Leave a Comment

Summer always welcomes kids to active days outside with lots of play, sports, and swimming. It’s so good for them in so many ways! It gives them a chance to burn off some energy, build great memories, and have lots of fun playing with friends.

As parents, we also know that summer comes with its fair share of bruises, scraps, and skinned-up knees for our kids. Whether it’s bike riding or playing summer football, accidents happen, but being proactive can keep some emergencies from striking. A bike helmet can help your child avoid a head injury, and mouth guards can even protect your child from experiencing a lost tooth!

How Helpful Is A Mouthguard?

Injuries are pretty common while playing sports. Our dentists treat several oral sports injuries every year. Studies show that oral injuries are 60 times more likely to happen when your child is not wearing a mouthguard. Each year hundreds of thousands of oral injuries are avoided because players wear mouthguards.

Mouthguards protect in a few different ways. They can cushion a blow to the face, and in doing so, they reduce one’s risk of experiencing broken teeth. They also can work to protect your child’s lips, gum tissue, and jaw.

How Should Mouthguards fit?

Mouthguards fit over your child’s upper teeth. Some mouthguards are generic, but custom mouthguards can be made at our office. Custom mouthguards offer better protection for your teeth. A mouthguard that is too big or too small may carry its own risk.

If your child has a mouthguard, it is good to bring it with you when you visit our office. Our highly trained dental team can inspect it for your child and ensure that it is a good fit for them. Since children are continually growing, a new mouthguard will be needed if your child outgrows one.

When Should A Mouthguard Be Worn?

The American Dental Association recommends that a properly fitted mouthguard be worn during activities that significantly increase one’s risk of dental trauma or orofacial injury. Common sports or activities that require mouthguards include:

  • Football
  • Hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial Arts
  • Boxing
  • Water Polo

Many other sports may not require a mouth guard, but wearing one could save your teeth. If your child plays these sports, they may also benefit from wearing a mouthguard:

  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Softball
  • Soccer
  • Horseback Riding
  • Gymnastics

How To Best Care For A Mouthguard

All mouths harbor bacteria, which means a mouthguard being worn in the mouth will also harbor bacteria. It’s common for mouthguards to get gross with time, but things can be done routinely to keep the mouthguard fresh. The following items will also help to extend the life of a mouthguard:

  • Routinely brushing your mouthguard with a mild toothpaste is a great start. Remember not to use abrasive toothpaste as this can scratch the mouthguard, which is more likely to stain.
  • Rinse the mouthguard with lukewarm water or cold water to remove any debris. Hot water can cause the mouthguard to warp, so stick with lukewarm or cold water.
  • Soaking the mouthguard in an Efferdent denture cleaner is another great option.
  • After using any of these options to clean your mouthguard, let the mouthguard dry well before storing it.

What To Do In A Dental Emergency

Should you ever find yourself or your child in a dental emergency, it is always best to call your dentist or seek treatment from a local emergency room. As with every dental emergency, try not to panic. Our dentists are trained to handle dental emergencies. They can evaluate your situation and let you know your best options for treatment.

It may seem like overkill to wear a mouthguard. Remember that your child doesn’t always need to wear an athletic mouthguard when active, but mouthguards help prevent serious injury. If you would like your child to have a custom mouthguard, please call our office to schedule an appointment.

Filed Under: General Dentistry

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Make An Appointment

Meet Riverside Dental Care

Let us be your St. George Dentist! As the premier St. George dental office, we work hard to make sure you enjoy your trip to the dentist by providing the most advanced dental care. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 435-673-3363 or click on the link above and fill out the Appointment Request Form.

Recent Blog Posts

  • 7 Tips to Prevent Baby Tooth Cavities

    Tooth decay, more commonly referred to as a cavity, is the breakdown...
  • The Stages of Periodontal Disease and How to Prevent It

    The most troublesome part of periodontal disease is that most people aren’t...
  • The Real Reason You Need to Brush Your Teeth at Bedtime

    Bedtime can be a hard time. You've had a long day and...
  • Common Dental Problems for Teens

    Did you know that your teens likely have all their adult teeth?...
  • Tooth Extraction Recovery Tips

    While most people try to avoid the extraction route, sometimes having a...
  • 7 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Tooth Decay

    Did you know that over 90% of adults have had at least...
  • Gum Health Tips to Prevent Pain and Inflammation

    What do redness, sensitivity, and puffy gums all have in common? They...
  • Why Canker Sores Happen and What to do

    Ever bite your tongue or lip on accident and have a sore...
  • The Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings

    Maintenance is vital for many things in life. Our vehicles and homes...
  • How Mouthguards Can Save Your Smile!

    When it comes to sports, it's not worth taking any chances and...

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment you can call us at

(435) 673-3363

Or click on the "Request Appointment" button below to fill out our online form.

Make an appointment

If you have a dental Emergency, please call this number for help:

(435) 673-3363


stgeorgesmiles@gmail.com

LINKS

  • New Patients
  • Patient Forms
  • Schedule Appointment
  • Financing Options
  • Dental Services
  • Dental Emergency
  • About Us
  • Reviews
  • Community
  • Blog
  • Contact

Washington Location

(435) 656-4441
826 S 3000 E Ste 2
St George, UT 84790

Riverside Location

(435) 673-3363
368 E. Riverside Dr. Ste 2A
St. George, UT 84790
Copyright © 2021 Riverside Dental Care. All Rights Reserved
MENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Riverside Drive Office
    • Washington Office
  • Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Bruxism
    • Composite Fillings
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Dentures
    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Veneers
  • New Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
  • Community
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Financing
  • Contact
Make an appointment
Washington Location Appointment
Riverside Location Appointment