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Competing athletically is good for you. It allows you to exercise and have fun with your best mates and team members. However, it’s essential to safeguard your smile while playing ball-oriented sports or physical games that require a bit of rough-housing during the fall sports season.
Additionally, you should see your Warriewood dentist every six months for check-ups and cleans, no matter the season!
Let’s look at ways to safeguard your smile during the fall sports season and what to do if you sustain an oral injury.
Smile Safety During the Fall Sports Season: Tips From an Orthodontic Dentist
Wear a Fitted Mouthguard
If you compete athletically, protecting your teeth and gums is crucial. A fitted mouthguard is your best defence. A fitted mouthguard is custom-crafted to fit your teeth, which adds more protection than a store-bought boil-and-bite guard. Custom mouthguards in Warriewood are ideal for children and adults.
Talk to your dentist near Northern Beaches to learn more about custom mouthguards and how they can protect your smile.
Wear the Proper Face Gear
Another important element of complete orthodontics & dental care is wearing proper face gear. Some teams assign face gear for key positions on the mound or elsewhere. Wear the correct equipment to protect your smile from stray balls and elbows. The equipment should fit, and don’t hesitate to ask the coach if you’re unsure how to wear or fasten your equipment for maximum safety.
Choose After-Game Refreshments Wisely
The fall sports season sometimes means going out for a celebratory meal and indulging in refreshments when you walk off the field. Have fun, but make healthy snack choices as often as you can.
For example, drink a bottle of water to quench your post-game thirst instead of fruit juice or a sugary sports drink. Be mindful of sweet treats and desserts if you go out for a celebratory dinner. If you indulge, rinse your mouth and then brush and floss as soon as possible.
Additional Tips for Complete Orthodontics & Dental Care
Ensure Regular Orthodontic Check-ups with Northern Beaches Orthodontics Specialist
Don’t let your sports schedule disrupt your orthodontic appointments. Regular check-ups with your orthodontist are vital to:
- Monitor your Orthodontic Dental Treatment progress and ensure everything is on track.
- Address any concerns related to potential damage to your braces or teeth.
- Make necessary adjustments to your appliances if needed due to impacts or changes in your teeth positioning.
Embrace Exemplary Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing become even more crucial during sports when food particles can easily get trapped:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly after every practice and game, and ideally before as well, to remove debris and prevent plaque buildup.
- Floss daily to clean between your teeth and remove any remaining food particles.
- Consider carrying a dental hygiene kit in your sports bag for quick clean-ups on the go.
Foster Clear Communication
Open communication with your coach, teammates, and even referees is vital:
- Inform them about your braces and any potential limitations or precautions they should be aware of.
- Discuss your concerns regarding potential risks during specific drills or game situations with your Northern beaches orthodontics specialist.
- Creating a supportive environment can help ensure your safety and enjoyment of the game.
Handle Orthodontic Emergencies with Confidence
- Keep your orthodontist’s contact information readily available in case of emergencies.
- If a bracket loosens or breaks, try to save the piece and schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible.
- For any injuries involving your teeth or mouth, seek immediate medical attention from Emergency Dental Services.
What to Do If You’re Currently Undergoing Treatment for Orthodontics in Northern Beaches?
For patients undergoing orthodontics in Northern Beaches, our Orthodontic Dentist recommends removing Invisalign aligners during the game and wearing a mouthguard instead. Do not attempt to wear both. However, put your aligner in immediately after the game.
If you wear braces, the brackets may add some protection during sports, but you should not cover them with a mouthguard.
What to Do If You Sustain an Oral Injury During Play?
If you sustain a sports injury to the mouth, contact our dental clinic as soon as possible to arrange an emergency dental visit.
If you’ve had a tooth knocked out, try not to handle it by the roots. You can rinse it gently, then place it in a glass of milk or saliva until you see the dentist. Sometimes, your dentist can save the tooth by resetting it into the jaw.
Bleeding gums or bleeding around the tooth is a common sports-injury-related issue. As you await your Emergency Dental Services in Warriewood, you can bite on sterile gauze to staunch any bleeding.
Broken restorations need repair or replacement. As you wait to see the dentist, keep the area around the fractured restoration clean to avoid infection.
It’s essential to see your dentist if you have a sports-related injury that loosens a tooth. These types of injuries can introduce bacteria into the tooth, leading to loss or a painful root canal infection, requiring root canal therapy.
If you sustain a ball to the head or trauma outside the mouth, we urge you to visit the nearest hospital first. You can contact a dental team member after an emergency room physician has assessed you. Your safety is always a priority.
At United Dental Clinic, we work to treat dental emergencies as soon as possible and set aside time in the workday schedule to care for you when you need us!
We never want to leave you in pain or put your oral health at risk, which is why our team works hard to get you in front of the dentist as soon as possible.
Do you need Orthodontic Dental Treatment if you sustain a fall sports injury?
If you had braces or other in place during the fall, the impact might damage the appliances themselves or cause them to shift, requiring an adjustment from your orthodontist.
Treatment for orthodontics Northern Beaches itself wouldn’t necessarily be affected, but adjustments might be needed to ensure proper alignment regardless of the injury.
Your Warriewood Dentist Welcomes Your Call
If you would like more information about protecting your smile this fall ball season, or if you’d like to schedule a preseason dental exam and teeth clean, a team member anticipates your call.
We’re pleased to offer cosmetic dentistry, complete orthodontics and dental care in Northern Beaches
We encourage you to ask us about our current specials.