Supportive Spouses & Case Success!

Sitting at the front desk in our office, our Office Coordinator heard him say it loud and clear, "that thing is going to make you look so silly. Really? I mean it's just so sexy." The husband of a long time patient was speaking to his wife about her new night guard. It was just a common ribbing from one spouse to the other, simple teasing, joking really; no harm, no foul, right?

A major reason people treated by dentists are not successful with night guards and occlusal guard care is because they don't wear them, either enough or at all in some cases. Your guard may need checked and adjusted, bring it in! Many men and women we've spoken to admit they don't wear them because of their spouse.

An occlusal guard can help patients with a variety of dental
concerns including TMJ, bruxism, mobility and more. (Photo
from Total Care Dentistry)

Our immediate reaction might be considered rather harsh. We wonder if the unsupportive spouse would prefer to have a mate without natural teeth. In some cases, that could be the end result of untreated grinding (bruxism), TMJ, and other serious dental conditions.

According to Dr. Mary Dooley, there are different kinds of guards made for specific reasons individual to each patient. Custom made occlusal orthotics are very hard guards that help with the treatment of TMJ. Night guards help with patients who grind their teeth causing wear beyond what is typical, cracks in the teeth in some cases. Guards are also made for many patients to protect smile reconstruction. Guards are not only an investment in the restored comfort of patients, but also an insurance policy for the investment made in valuable treatment already performed.

We know the husband in our example wasn't trying to do permanent damage to his wife's psyche or teeth. Still, take a moment to consider your spouse. It's the smile that stares at you that you'll be enjoying (or not) later.

The 411 on Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Traumatic cases may need emergency room attention, but  here are some tips for common dental emergencies:

· For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, call us right away.

· For a cracked tooth, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your dentist ASAP.

· If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a moist cold compress.

· For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do NOT put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. It may cause a burn on your cheek or gums. You can swallow an aspirin as you would for any other pain.

· For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.

There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:

· Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities. A custom made guard will protect your teeth far better than one bought over the counter.

· Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.

· Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

 

     “It is important for patients to  follow with a dental visit. X-rays are imperative, you can’t always feel a problem inside your mouth. Many silent problems are discovered with x-rays and can be treated early and with less discomfort,” says Dr. Mary Dooley.

     At Total Care Dentistry, our patient promise means we will see your emergency the same day. We never want you to be in pain, and will even see new patients on a moments notice. Give us a call at 757-486-4880. (Source: ADA)

 

Caring for your Athletic Mouthguard

More and more people are getting outside and taking advantage of spring with athletic activities! It's a fantastic way to stay in shape, but don't forget to take care of your (or your child's) protective mouthguard!

Once you've gotten Dr. Dooley to make a custom athletic guard, care for it as good as you can. Not only will proper care extend the life of the guard in general, it will help the guard stay odor-free, meaning germ free, and maintain its resistance to cavity-causing bacteria!

Sports such as softball, baseball, lacrosse, and field hockey
recommend the use of mouthguards for players.

Whether you've bought your guard at a store, or wear one that is custom-made, you can care for it quite easily. Follow these tips and ask questions to score smile points!

• Before and after each use, rinse it with cool water or a mouth rinse. You can also clean your guard with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
• Store and transport your mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents to allow air circulation.
• To keep the mouthguard for losing its shape, avoid exposing it to high temperatures such as in hot water (don't boil it to kill germs) on hot surfaces or in direct sunlight.
• Do not chew on or cut pieces off your mouthguard.
• Check your mouthguard regularly for tears of holes and make sure the fit isn't too loose. A poor fit can irritate your gums, lips or cheek lining.
• Bring your guard to your next dental appointment for a check by our staff.

Its is never too early to start wearing a mouthguard. As soon as you begin to look into sports for your child, consider a guard, and talk to Dr. Dooley. Good habits start early, and use of a mouthguard by children and teens will reinforce wear later in life.

Saving Face: Kids & Sports Mouth Guards

The spring sports season is almost upon us, are you ready? Hopefully you've begun sorting through last year's gear, helmets, bats, sticks, balls, pads, shin guards, tape, all the fun stuff moms and dads get to lug around in the name of playful competition. But you're probably missing one essential piece of equipment. An athletic mouth guard should be on your checklist.

The American Dental Association recommends the use of them for many collision and contact sports. A recent article found on their website says players of all ages, genders and skill levels are at risk of sustaining dental injuries in sporting activities, even if it's just a recreational league game. While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, have inherent injury risks, dental injuries are also prevalent in non-contact activities and exercises, such as gymnastics and skating.

On the radar for spring: Softball, baseball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and outdoor volleyball. If your child is signing up for one of these sports, consider a guard. Just don't confuse a face guard with a mouthguard. Custom mouth guards are the only way your perfect smile will be protected. It could save you (and your child) a lot of pain and frustration later! By the way, if you do lose a tooth while enjoying a game, check out my FAQ's for tips on what to do next!