Mouth Protectors in Sports

Most parents would love their children to grow up as athletes. As they begin to engage in sports, the topic of safety will begin to come up. This is common in all kinds of sports including football, soccer, hockey, skiing, and any sport where the player may come in contact with another person or piece of equipment. All these sports involve some level of physical activity that can expose the child to a risk of getting injured.

Dental Safety in Sports

While most players understand the importance of safety in sports, they tend to overlook the importance of a mouth protector. During games, there is probably a high risk that the player may fall, hit his or her head, or have mouth or head contact with other children or with the sports equipment. This fact makes the mouth protector a very essential piece of sports gear that is recommended by all dentists.

Importance of a Mouth Protector

The right mouth protector will go a long way in protecting not only the teeth, but also cheeks, the jaw, tongue, lips, and even reduce the intensity of neck and head injuries. Research has proven that wearing a mouth protector greatly minimizes the possibility of getting dental and/or oral injuries.  This has always been among the most important items recommended by dentists to parents who have children involved in sports. With mouth protectors you have a number of options to pick from nowadays and you can easily find one that is right for your kid. They are available in most sporting goods stores or you can make an order online, but make sure it is recommended by your kids’ dentist.

The most important thing is getting one that is comfortable to wear and it fits according to their mouth structure. You can always consult a reputable dentist who caters to the young and growing to find out which is the best for your kid or if they can make a customized one specifically for your child. It is a fantastic idea to teach your kid how to keep safe during sports.  Make them protect their pearly whites with a mouth protector so that smile stays looking nice!

Establish Good Home Dental Care Habits Early

Good dental health habits should start young. Proper tooth brushing, flossing and good dental habits affect more than the beauty of your children's teeth. Poor dental habits, cavities, and gum disease can lead to bacterial infections which can lead to a major infection that could spread to different areas of the body if they are allowed to persist. According to the American Dental Association, gum disease and other health problems may be linked. Oral health and the health of the rest of the body are not separate.

Tips for Encouraging Healthy Mouth Habits in Your Child

·         Start Healthy Habits Early. Before your baby has his first tooth he should already be adjusted to the feeling of a soft rubber tipped toothbrush gently cleaning his gums two to three times daily. This early start will help establish good habits, and keep your child's oral health in good shape from day one. Some people refer to baby teeth as training teeth, in the context that they do not need to worry if they get cavities. This is a very dangerous mindset.

·         Be a Great Example. Toddlers mimic much of what their parents do. The good or the bad. Letting them see you floss, and brush your teeth after meals, and making healthy choices such as drinking water over sugary beverages will go a long way when it comes time for them to make their own choices.

·         Take Them to Dental Appointments Early. This has a two-fold benefit for your child. One, they will not have a fear of the dentist if they go before they are taught to fear. And two, any problems that may occur will be caught early before they cause extensive damage.

·         Make Dental Care a Positive Experience. Do not turn tooth brushing time into a stressful event. Smile, and start brushing your own teeth if you want to get a hesitant toddler to follow suit. Make it a game, put on silly music to time the brushing and let your child pick out their own tooth brush, floss and rinse cup.

If you are looking for a positive first time dental experience for your child, contact Playtime Dental for an appointment!

First Visit to Dentist Can Be Fun and Educational, Encourage Good Habits

Whether they arrive early or late in your baby's mouth, the appearance of baby’s first teeth are a cause for celebration. Despite "teething trauma," those tiny pearly whites represent a milestone of development, and mark the beginning of a lifetime of varied dental concerns.

Generally relaxed parental attitudes surrounding the initial 20 "baby teeth" can progress through many stages: Brushing and flossing, dealing with the tooth fairy, first "fears," dental caries, straightening, whitening, wisdom teeth, loss of teeth, possible jaw or gum problems.

Encourage Good Habits

The fact that human beings receive two full sets of teeth does not make it any easier. What many people do not realize is that by the time those first infant teeth appear, somewhere between four and 16 weeks, the "buds" have been developing in the jaw for almost a year. Tooth buds begin to form within six weeks of conception.

Even though it is sometimes said that primary teeth are simply "place-savers," for a permanent set of ivories, a kids dentist will tell you that it's never too early to encourage good habits. From the time a child can hold a toothbrush -- and even before -- it's wise to establish brushing routines, encourage proper nutrition and limit sweets.

Keep It Friendly and Fun

An early visit to a dentist who specializes in comfortable examinations, preventive care and education concerning health of the teeth and mouth will prepare a child for a lifetime of smiles. Beginning at about age six, the loss and replacement of those first baby teeth signals an ongoing process that will last into early adulthood.

In many cases today, the last four teeth to make their appearance, the so-called "wisdom teeth" at the far ends of the jawbone, will also be the first teeth to be lost. For reasons not fully understood, modern jaws are often not large enough to accommodate these large molars.

Playtime Dental is committed to providing complete children dental care, with the goal of helping you keep the smile on your child's face through an entire lifetime. Call for an appointment today!

History of the Dentist

We've all been in that place where we sit in the waiting room, expecting the discomfort of sitting with our mouth wide open while a dentist cleans and works on our teeth. Whether you enjoy going to the dentist or you prefer not to think about visiting a dental professional, it is an important part of maintaining good hygiene. The history of dentistry is probably richer than you expect, because it began in 7000 BCE.

Ancient History

In ancient history, dentistry was used to clear decay, drain abscesses and replace teeth that were lost. The methods used in ancient times were crude, but evidence from skulls found in Egypt and the Indus Valley suggest that dentistry began long before modern medicine.

It was not until 500 BCE that measures to replace teeth with metal began to show up. Before gold was used to replace missing teeth by the Etruscans and the Romans, ancient cultures used animal teeth and tied them in place.

Modern Culture

It was not until the 1600s that dentistry began to take on the forms that are common today. Between the 1650s and the 1800s, physicians began taking an interest in dentistry and started working on it as part of treatment for their patients.

The first dental college did not open in the United States until 1840, when the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery opened its doors to students. From that time period, dentistry has rapidly evolved and changed to keep up with modern medicine and humane treatment practices.

Dentists use a variety of tools to remove decay and fill in cavities as well as perform dental surgery and remove teeth that are damaged. In modern dentistry, it is possible to replace teeth with options that look the same or similar to real teeth. Furthermore, cosmetic procedures are available to straighten, whiten and improve the appearance of teeth.

Dentistry has a very long history, which began thousands of years ago. Although the modern use of tools and technology has made it possible for dentists to keep teeth healthy, the advances of medical science are continually providing new opportunities to keep your teeth healthy each year.