If you play a contact sport, padding is very important. Imagine taking a hit from a safety without pads. Or imagine the way a hockey puck would feel if a slap shot hit you in the shins when you weren’t wearing shin guards. You probably wouldn’t step onto a football field or a hockey rink without pads, but if you play these sports without mouth guards, you are inviting the same kinds of pain and calamity. Without a mouth guard, a fun afternoon of sport could turn into a dental emergency. Your Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, explains how mouth guards can prevent several kinds of dental emergencies.
Mouth Guards and Athletics
Mouth guards protect your teeth and mouth from damage during tough athletic events. If you are jarred from contact, your mouth may snap shut, inflicting heavy forces on your teeth. If these forces are strong enough, teeth could fracture or even be knocked out. However, a mouth guard works to absorb these forces and protect teeth despite contact.
Yet a mouth guard doesn’t just protect teeth. Mouth guards prevent other oral injuries like a bitten tongue or lip. If serious enough, these injuries may require a hospital visit. However, if you wear a mouth guard, the likelihood of these injuries is reduced near zero.
Newer mouth guards have still other benefits in addition to preventing dental emergencies. Some companies claim that their mouth guards improve athletic performance by ensuring that the jaw is properly aligned. A correctly positioned jaw reduces stress and allows muscles to perform at their highest caliber.
What to Do in Case of a Dental Emergency
If you do experience a dental emergency such as a cracked, broken, or lost tooth, contact your Grand Prairie emergency dentist, Dr. Smith, immediately. Be sure to rinse your mouth, and in the event of a lost tooth, locate the tooth, wash it, and replace it in its socket. If you bite your lip or tongue and bleeding persists, seek emergency medical help.
Visit Your Grand Prairie Emergency Dentist
If you experience a dental emergency, prompt care is vital. Call your Grand Prairie emergency dentist, Dr. Smith, at 972-262-5111. Our 75052 dental office welcomes patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.
