Hopefully you are one of many health-conscious Allen Park residents who is finding ways to get outside or to the gym and get moving. There has been an explosion in the variety of activities offered by personal trainers, all-purpose Allen Park gyms, specialty facilities, and recreation departments in recent years. With all these exciting ways to exercise becoming commonplace, people in the Allen Park area may not be aware of the tooth risks associated with them.
We’re Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai, concerned Allen Park cosmetic dentists and fitness enthusiasts, and we want to talk to you today about mouth protectors.
You might think that mouth protectors are only for ultimate fighters and football players, but actually mouth guards can and should be used during any activity where a blow to the face is possible.
This includes many common sports such as pick-up basketball games, volleyball, gymnastics, and bicycling. When you have a properly fitted mouth protector, you can prevent broken or lost teeth as well as lip, tongue, and jaw injuries.
Mouth protectors come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well. You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores in the Allen Park area. They are to be softened in water and then formed to your mouth (make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
The soft tissues that line your cheeks and lips are especially susceptible to injury when you have restorative dentistry, braces or fixed bridge work, not to mention the damage that can be caused to the orthodontic appliances themselves. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for Allen Park patients undergoing these treatments. Your Allen Park orthodontist may even suggest a mouth protector for your lower teeth as well.
If you have questions about general dentistry in Allen Park or any other dental issues, please contact our office and schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you.
Drs. Greg & Joanne Szalai
Szalai & Szalai DDS
5329 Allen Rd
Allen Park, Michigan
313-928-2323
https://www.allenparkdentists.com/about-us/