Hopefully you are one of the many health-conscious Arlington residents who are finding ways to get outside or to the gym and get moving. There has been an explosion in the variety of activities offered by personal trainers, all-purpose Arlington gyms, specialty facilities, and recreation departments in recent years.
With all these exciting ways that exercise is becoming commonplace, people in the Mansfield, Bentley Village, and Cook’s Meadow areas may not be aware of the tooth risks associated with these activities.
I’m Dr. Stephen Ratcliff, a concerned Arlington dentist and fitness enthusiast, and I want to talk to you today about mouth protectors.
You might think that mouth protectors are only for ultimate fighters and football players, but actually mouth guards can and should be used during any activity where a blow to the face is possible.
This includes many common sports such as pick-up basketball games, and volleyball, and bicycling. When you have a properly fitted mouth protector, you can prevent broken or lost teeth as well as lip, tongue, and jaw injuries.
Mouth protectors come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well. You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores in the Fort Worth area. They are to be softened in water and then formed to your mouth (make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions). Custom-fitted mouth protectors can be made by your Arlington dentist to ensure a perfect fit.
The soft tissues that line your cheeks and lips are especially susceptible to injury when you have braces or fixed bridge work, not to mention the damage that can be caused to the orthodontic appliances themselves. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for Fort Worth patients undergoing orthodontic treatments. Your Arlington orthodontist may even suggest a mouth protector for your lower teeth as well.
If you have questions about sports dentistry in Arlington or any other dental issues, please contact my office and schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting you.
Dr. Stephen Ratcliff
Stephen Ratcliff, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
909 W Mitchell St
Arlington, Texas
817-274-7875
https://www.myarlingtoncosmeticdentist.com/meet-dr-ratcliff/
