It’s a typical day, and you’re enjoying a pick-up game of basketball. Unexpectedly, you’re struck in the face and a tooth is knocked-out. You now have a dental emergency on your hands. Thankfully, this is just a hypothetical situation and you currently still have all your teeth in place. That means you still have a chance to prevent such a situation from happening. Read on as a local dentist explains how to protect yourself.
The Dangers of Not Wearing a Mouthguard
Whenever people are moving around hurriedly, there is the chance of a sudden collision. Here are a few of the problems that can arise:
- Laceration – A blow to the face can potentially injure the soft tissue (gums, lips, tongue and cheeks) and cause excessive bleeding.
- Broken Jaw – Hard impact or a bad fall can possibly lead to a broken jaw, a serious injury that will send you to the emergency room.
- Partially or Completely Knocked-Out Tooth – Without any protection, a blow to the face can leave you with a loose or dislodged tooth.
How Custom Mouthguards and Store-Bought Options Differ
Before you rush out to your local sports store to purchase a mouthguard, you should know that you won’t get the same level of protection as having a custom appliance designed by a dentist. The kind you’ll find at a retailer is generically made, but a dentist’s mouthguard will be designed to perfectly fit the contour of your mouth.
To grasp the significance of the customization, think of the bumper of your vehicle. You wouldn’t expect the same level of protection if a Honda were fitted with a bumper designed for a Ford. In the event that you have an accident, the job of your custom mouthguard is to redirect the energy away from your teeth, just like a bumper does for the passengers of a vehicle.
It’s Always Better to be Proactive
Even if you’ve been playing sports for years without incident, that doesn’t mean that you’re immune to having an injury. Thus, it’s much easier to take precautions than it is to have a serious issue on your hands that requires treatment from an emergency dentist in Louisville.
With the COVID-19 crisis currently preventing any large gatherings and requiring social distancing, you likely won’t be participating in any sporting events for a while. Furthermore, most dentists are only providing emergency dental care at the moment. However, when the threat subsides, you should place visiting for a custom mouthguard at the top of your priority list.
About the Author
Dr. Kenneth Bell earned his dental degree from The University of Louisville School of Dentistry. An advocate of preventive dentistry, he understands how much easier it can make life when you’re proactive about your dental health. Therefore, under normal conditions, Dr. Bell provides custom mouthguards. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he is currently only providing emergency dentistry. When it’s safe, he’ll return to offering a full array of services. He practices at Bell Dental, and he can be reached for more information through his website.