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Make sure your student athlete gets a mouthguard
By KIM GLOVER, R.D.H.
Mouthguards to protect an
athlete’s teeth are commonplace
in contact sports such as football
and rugby. But they are also a
smart idea for people par cipa ng
in sports like basketball, baseball,
wrestling, soccer, motocross and
rodeo. A mouthguard can protect
lips, teeth, and braces from a stray
elbow or a so ball that misses the
ou ielder’s glove. Some research-
ers even believe that a mouthguard
may help prevent or reduce concus-
sion of the brain from a blow to the
lower jaw.
Ready-made mouthguards are
available everywhere, from your
favorite sports store to drugstores
or online. Prices range from $3
to $25 and up. It is important to
select a mouthguard that is well-
cushioned, yet slim enough to
allow easy speaking and breathing.
Boil-and-bite guards are preferred
to guards that aren’t made to mold
to the teeth.
Custom mouthguards are usu-
ally made in a dental offi ce. These
should fi t be er than most guards
purchased in a store, and are a nice
op on for the year-round athlete.
Your child may be able to choose
her favorite color, or the team’s
colors for her mouthguard.
These devices usually cost more
than a readymade guard; call your
dental offi ce to fi nd out what the
fee would be. Also, ask your den-
tal offi ce if they are doing any
mouthguard clinics, where they
may off er special pricing on the
guards.
When taking care of a mouth-
guard, remind your child to brush
it now and then with cool or warm
water and a toothbrush without
toothpaste. Don’t store it where it
may be exposed to extreme heat,
such as in the front seat of a car
parked in the sun. And keep the
guard away from pets. Dogs love
to chew on retainers and mouth-
Family
Health
guards that smell like “their peo-
ple.” A brightly-colored plas c case
will make your child’s guard easier
to fi nd in a bag crammed with
smelly socks and T-shirts.
Replacing missing or broken
teeth can be a very long, expensive
process. A mouthguard is not just
a good preven ve measure; it’s a
low-cost insurance policy for your
child’s smile.
________
Kim Glover is a Registered Dental
Hygienist at Broadway Family Den-
tal Care (www.bwaydental.com) in
Milton-Freewater.