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For many sports activities, the risk of injury to your face or mouth is extremely high. This is where your dentist comes in. Dentistry, or more specifically sports dentistry, involves prevention of injury to the hard and soft tissues of the mouth, through the use of properly fitted mouth guards. It is not just for professional athletes or those on college teams either. Studies have shown that a proper mouth device that is custom fitted, and balanced, can improve your performance - or your child's - and protect your teeth in sports, no matter what your skill level.
Prevention and adequate preparation are the key elements in minimizing injuries. The Northfield Dental Group has been fabricating different mouth guards and performance devices for athletes over the past 15 years. Your sports dentist in Livingston and West Orange, NJ has the ability to create the best device for the sport that you play. Wear a Mouth Guard to Prevent Injury According to the American Dental Association (ADA), an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer harm to the teeth when not wearing a mouth guard. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that sports-related dental injuries account for more than 600,000 visits to the emergency room each year. Mouth guards create a cushion that provides potential stabilization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) while helping to prevent injury as well. Additionally, mouth guards can significantly reduce the type of injury affecting the soft tissues, such as your lips and gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Mouth guards can help provide protection against an array of serious injuries to the face and head. The National Federation of High School Athletics (NFHSA) has established rules for all sports that require mouth guards in schools. These sports include football, hockey, and lacrosse. Mouth guards are also mandatory in youth leagues and for wrestlers who have dental braces. Treatment for When Injury Does Occur In addition to preventing injuries, your dentist also treats athletes who have experienced injuries to the teeth and mouth during competition. To efficiently determine the extent and correctly diagnose injuries to the face, jaws, teeth and associated structures, a systemic approach to trauma is essential. Assessment typically includes a thorough history, visual and x-ray examination, and a physical evaluation. Treatment also takes into consideration the patient's health and developmental status. Most sports-related dental injuries could be classified into:
* Soft tissue - bruises, cuts and lacerations to the lips, cheeks, gums or tongue. These wounds will require careful cleaning and debridement to make sure there are no entrapped pieces of tooth or dirt.
* Jaws - dislocations of the lower jaw (mandible) and/or fractures of upper or lower jaws. These will require more complex testing and scanning.
* Dental - anything to do with the teeth from crazing or simple chipping, to complex fractures or avulsions. The main goal of treatment is to salvage the affected teeth whenever possible - to maintain health, function, aesthetics and avoid tooth loss. Assessment, diagnosis and treatment will differ for damaged baby and adult teeth depending on many factors. It is important to visit your dentist for fitting of a mouth guard if you actively participate in sports in order to protect your smile from damage. No one wants to lose teeth while playing in a sport they enjoy, nor do they want to lose teeth in general. Contact your dentist in West Orange for treatment and assessment before jumping into a sport.
Dr. Ivan Stein, a sports dentist in West Orange, offers an array of dental services, including implants, bonding and headache treatment in Livingston and West Orange, NJ. From TMJ treatment and sports dentistry to veneers and custom-made snoring appliances in Livingston and West Orange, this Top New Jersey Dentist delivers professional, smile-enhancing dental care.
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