Dental Trauma

Posted on 04.18.16 By Alf Le

What is dental trauma?

Dental trauma refers to injury/damage to the teeth and/or gums. Most commonly caused during contact sports and high contact physical activities.

Prevention

Regular use of a mouthguard during sports and other high risk physical activities is the most effective prevention for dental trauma. However, injuries can still occur whilst wearing a mouthguard as users are not always aware of the best makes or sizes, which results in a poor fit. This is why a custom fitted mouthguard is essential during physical contact sports and activities.

What to do if an adult tooth is knocked out?

  1. Find the tooth. Hold the tooth by the crown (the white part), not by the root (the yellow part).
  2. If clean, replant immediately, if possible using gentle pressure
  3. If contaminated, rinse shortly with cold tap water and put the tooth back in its place.
  4. Hold the tooth in place. Bite on a handkerchief to hold it in position.
  5. If you cannot put the tooth back in, place it in a cup of milk or saline. When milk or saline are not available place the tooth in between your cheek and your teeth.
  6. Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

Mouthguards

Posted on 04.13.16 By Alf Le

Why should I wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards should be used by anyone — children and adults — who not only participate in full contact sports like football and boxing but they are also recommended for lesser contact sports like soccer, basketball, and hockey.

When should I wear a mouthguard?

Mouthguards should be worn at all times during games and training for any sport that may involve contact to the face.

What does a mouthguard do?

Mouthguards are worn as a preventative measure to minimise the effect of trauma. They are made of a flexible material that is fitted to the upper teeth. Whilst being worn you mouthguard provides protection to the jaw, teeth, gums, lips and face. By dispersing and absorbing the force of a blow.

What types of mouthguards are available?

1. Stock mouthguards are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods stores. However, little can be done to adjust their fit, they are bulky, make breathing and talking difficult, and hence provide very little or no protection.  

For this reason they will often spend more time out of your mouth than in it. Dentists including us at Redcliffe Smiles do not recommend their use.

2. Boil and bite mouthguards do work better than plain stock mouthguards and also can be bought at many sporting goods stores.  

The “boil and bite” mouthguard is made from a mouldable material.  It is placed in hot water to soften, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth with your fingers. Although their fit is better than a plain stock mouthguard their bulkiness often makes them difficult to wear.

3.Custom-fitted mouthguards

At Redcliffe Smiles we recommend all players especially those playing in contact sports, wear a custom made and fitted mouthguard. These are individually made, to fit you perfectly to ensure that they provide the best possible protection and are comfortable.

Our dentist’s Redcliffe Smiles are committed to providing the best fitting, affordable mouthguards possible.

We can personalise your mouthguard with almost unlimited colour options, decals and graphics.

Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League ClubAs proud sponsors of the Redcliffe Dolphins RLFC all Dolphins, all senior and juniors receive 20% off all Custom fitted mouthguards.

So call us on 3203 7177 for more information or visit us at www.redcliffesmiles.com.au.