With fall sports starting, you are probably purchasing all the gear that your child/teenager will need for the upcoming season.   We would like to remind parents that mouthguards are an important piece of “equipment” that protects your children’s teeth and could possibly reduce their incidence of concussion.

All mouthguards are not made equally.  There is a difference between custom-made, properly fitting mouthguards fabricated by a dentist versus the over the counter “boil-and-bite” type of mouthguard.  Custom mouthguards have a better fit, are made from a mould of your mouth, and are designed to have a minimal thickness of 3mm.  Some studies have shown that it is this minimal thickness in custom mouthguards that can protect athletes from a concussion.   The over the counter boil-and-bite type of mouthguard is often altered by athletes because of poor fit or discomfort.  Some alterations such as cutting off the back end of the guard or biting completely through the material during forming can take away the protective properties of a mouthguard.  It is not proven that custom made mouth guards can protect athletes from a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion, but there are studies that show a significant difference in injury rate when comparing athletes wearing custom made mouthguards versus store bought mouthguards.

Here are a few websites with some helpful information regarding mouthguards and oral-facial/head injuries related to sports.

http://www.sportsdentistry.com/concussion.html

http://www.nays.org/article/10872-Starter

The good news is that we can help your child be safe and have fun during his/her sports endeavors.  Call our office today at 303-498-9207 to get your child fitted for a custom mouthguard!

The post Mouthguard Protection for Young Athletes: a Message to Parents appeared first on The Dentists on Pearl.

It’s never too early to begin caring for your child’s teeth. Here are a few guidelines to help parents manage their child’s dental care needs from infancy and throughout early childhood.

Birth – 12 months

Parents of infants can help set the stage for healthy teeth and gums in the first year of a child’s life.

• After feedings, brush the child’s mouth with water using a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or a soft washcloth.
• Schedule regular check-ups with your child’s pediatrician, who will check your baby’s mouth as part of the examination.
• The American Dental Association recommends a first visit with the dentist by 12 months of age.

12 months – Age 2

Once a child’s baby teeth have come in (the first tooth usually appears between four months and 12 months; and all baby teeth, including molars, should come in before age three), proper brushing and dental care becomes even more important.

• Begin to teach your child proper brushing habits by cleaning his or her teeth twice a day, morning and evening. Parents, you will need to do the cleaning at this age, but this routine will also help prepare your child to brush alone when ready.
• Brush your child’s teeth with a soft-bristled brush and non-fluoride toothpaste designed for toddlers. Brush the fronts and backs of teeth, as well as your child’s tongue. (Children at this age are too young for fluoride toothpaste, but they should get adequate fluoride from your community’s municipal water supply.)
• Schedule a check-up with your dentist. Good preventive care at this age can help prevent more serious dental issues later. This visit is also a good time to discuss your child’s bite, pacifier use and other mouth-related issues.

Age 2 and older

With your help and encouragement, your child’s dental care habits should be well established by age two. Keep up the good work!

• By age two, you may begin using a fluoride toothpaste for your child, but be sure to use only a small amount. A pea-sized dollop on a soft brush should do the trick.
• Also by this age, your child’s teeth are likely growing closer together. Once two teeth touch, it’s time to start flossing your child’s teeth daily.
• Limit juice and offer more water to drink. Juice can be high in sugar, which can lead to tooth decay. It’s important to maintain healthy baby teeth while a child’s mouth prepares for the permanent teeth that will come in later.

In our next edition, we’ll discuss good dental habits for older children. In the meantime, please feel free to send us any questions about your child’s dental health via our contact page. 

The post Dental Care for Early Childhood appeared first on The Dentists on Pearl.