Wingewarra Mouthguards
Why do I need a mouthguard?
Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard is the easiest way to protect your teeth during sport.
It may sound far-fetched, but having a chemist bought mouthguard can be just as dangerous as not wearing one at all.Top three reasons to wear a mouthguard:
- Softens the impact on teeth
- Protects the jaw from injury
- Protects against soft tissue injuries, like bruising of the gums
When should I wear a mouthguard?
You should wear a custom-fitted mouthguard when playing and training for any sport where there is a possibility of contact to the face. These include football, soccer, hockey, basketball and boxing.
What type of mouthguard should I wear?
There are many types of mouthguards, from cheap over-the-counter (boil and bite) to professionally custom-fitted mouthguards.
Custom-fitted mouthguards are recommended by our dentists to ensure maximum protection against injury. Your dentist will take an impression and make a plaster model of your teeth, from which a custom mouthguard is made. Over-the-counter mouthguards do not offer enough protection.
What should I do if I have injured or knocked out my tooth? Tooth First-Aid!
If a deciduous (baby) tooth is knocked out:
- Do not put the tooth back in the mouth. Doing this may damage the permanent (adult) tooth.
- See a dentist as soon as possible to check there are no broken bits of tooth left or any other damage.
- Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop any bleeding. Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling.
If a permanent (adult) tooth is knocked out:
- Find the tooth. Do not touch the root. Only handle the tooth by the top.
- If it is dirty, rinse the tooth in milk. However, do not remove soft tissue fragments from the tooth.
- If possible, place the tooth back in the socket, making sure it is facing the right way. Hold the tooth in place by gently biting on a cloth or covering the damaged tooth and teeth either side with aluminium foil.
- If it is difficult to place the tooth back in, keep it moist in some milk. Do not let the tooth dry out. Do not place it in ice or hot water.
- Immediately seek dental treatment. Time is critical to prevent permanent damage!