Your summer smile questions, answered!
Summer is just around the corner, which for many people means vacations, baseball season, days spent at the beach, and fun in the sun! Now that you have braces, it’s important to take special precautions to prevent facial injuries and preserve your healthy smile for a lifetime. That’s why Dr. Overby and our team wanted to answer a few of the common questions that we often receive from patients and their parents during the summer months.
How can I prevent my teeth from becoming chipped or broken while I play sports this summer?
A mouth guard is important to use while playing almost any sport. Accidents that traumatize teeth also occur often in and around pools and trampolines. A mouth guard can be used while using a trampoline. Remember not to dive into the shallow end of the pool! It is also not a good idea to ever dive head first into a lake or river since you can rarely see what is underneath the surface.
If I’m hit in the mouth, and a tooth gets knocked out, what can/should I do? What should I do if I am injured on a weekend when the office is closed?
Find the tooth and rinse it gently. If it is dirty or sandy, then either have someone put it back in the socket and contact your dentist immediately for additional treatment or store the tooth in your mouth or a glass of milk and get to the dentist or ER immediately. The tooth has the best chance to be viable for a long time the sooner it is back in it’s socket.
Can my teeth be fixed if they are chipped, broken or knocked out?
Yes. In most cases teeth can be fixed if they are chipped or broken. Even if a tooth is knocked out there is a fairly good chance it can be re-implanted and used for some time.
Are sports drinks bad for my teeth? What can I drink to stay hydrated and keep my teeth healthy?
In general, sports drinks have a significant amount of sugar so they are not healthy for your teeth. Water is a great alternative. If you routinely use sports drinks it is a good idea to rinse with water afterward and make sure you are doing a nice job with brushing and flossing.
If I wear Invisalign aligners, will they help protect my teeth, or do I still need to wear a mouth guard?
Invisalign aligners are not meant to be protective. They should be removed during sports and a protective mouth guard should be used.
Can I still play sports while wearing my retainer, or is it best to take it out?
Retainers should be removed for sports and a protective mouthgaurd should be used for most every sport.
Can I still wear a mouth guard with braces?
Yes, mouth guards can and should be used with braces. You can either buy a mouth guard specifically designed to be used with braces, or you can buy an inexpensive “boil and bite” mouth guard. You may want to purchase several if you go the inexpensive route so that you can fit a new one as your teeth move during the orthodontic process.
