Protecting Those Back To School Smiles

Just a reminder for students and parents that part of any back to school supply list should be a mouthguard for any child playing contact sports such as football, basketball, wrestling, soccer or any sport that poses a risk of injury to a child's smile.

A mouthguard is as essential as a helmet or padding for school sports. Bruises and bones can heal, but teeth cannot be replaced without a lot of cost and pain to the patient and the parents. Mouthguards are also helpful in preventing concussion as they absorb about 50% of the force from jaw related impacts, thus reducing the amount of trauma to the brain.

There are three types of mouth guards: the regular store bought mouth guard, the boil and bite mouthguard, and custom made mouthguards fitted by your dentist. A custom fitted mouthguard will provide the most comfortable fit and a dentist can make any alterations if needed. A mouthguard fitted by your dentist can also be customized to the demands of the sport or athlete.

When caring for a mouth guard it is recommended rinsing with cold water or an antiseptic mouth wash before and after each use. Cleaning the mouthguard with a toothbrush and toothpaste is also acceptable. It is also important to keep the mouthguard away from any high temperatures or hot water as it can warp out of shape and become unsafe and uncomfortalbe.

To ensure the mouthguard continues to do its job it is recommended the child bring it to any dental checkups to make sure it is still fitting properly and is in good condition. The American Dental Association recommends seeing a dentist about a mouthguard for the following sports: Acrobatics, Basketball, Boxing, Field Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Racquetball, Rugby, Softball, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Mouthguards are especially essential for kids who have any kind of dental appliances such as braces or retainers. Your investment in your child's smile should not end at the orthodontist's door. By adding a mouthguard to their back-to-school list you can be assured your child's smile is well protected.

Dr. Patric Cohen is a prominent Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist Who has lectured and written extensivelyh on custom fitted mouth guards and their essential role in the prevention of dental injuries as they relate to sports. He was a speaker at the 1996 Atlanta summer Olympics as well as the Sports Medicine Symposium on Head Injuries in 1999 in Los Angeles. Dr. Cohen has also been volunteer director of Dental Services at the Vista Del Mar Child Care Facility as well as Team detist for the Long Beach Ice Dogs.

Dr. A. Patric Cohen has been practicing cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills since 1984. He graduated from Stanford University in 1980 and received his DDS degree at University of Southern California in 1984. Dr. Cohen is a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and a member of The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.