Glendale AZ Dentist - Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

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Call us at (623) 939-4777
18301 N 79th Ave, Suite F164, Glendale, AZ 85308
The Office of Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Preventive Dentistry

Custom Athletic Mouthguard

Athletic Mouthguard WebDental injuries related to sports are extremely common. Most commonly the result is a fractured or broken upper front tooth and a split lip. Sometimes the injury results in nothing more than a tooth colored (composite) repair, other times the tooth or teeth damaged will require root canals and crowns or veneers. In the most serious of injuries the teeth can not be saved and have to be replaced with dental bridges or implants. Whether simple or complex the end result is a lifetime of dentistry to deal with an accident that could have been prevented.

Sports mouthguards are a simple and inexpensive way to prevent damage to the teeth while engaged in athletic activities. The guards are normally made of a plastic material that is placed over the upper teeth. Most athletes purchase these guards in a sporting goods store. The guard is then placed in hot water at home with the idea that it will conform to the shape of the teeth. As both a mom of three, all of whom played high school sports, and a dentist it is a challenge to sit on the sidelines and watch as the majority of the players have their guard hanging from the corner of their mouths, not in at all or hanging from their helmet all because they are bulky, uncomfortable and do not stay in place over the teeth.

A custom athletic mouthguard is made to fit precisely over your teeth. Once placed over the teeth is stays without the need to bite against it with the lower teeth. This allows the player to speak normally with their teammates without removing the guard, causes less joint and muscle fatigue and makes keeping it in place where it can do it’s job of protecting the teeth much more dependable. The custom guards are also much smaller, less bulky and much more comfortable to wear.

An impression of your teeth will be taken and the custom athletic mouthguard will be fabricated on a model of your teeth. the material is a soft plastic, available in many colors so you can show your school pride. If your sport has specific requirements for the color and thickness of the guard it can be made to follow those guidelines and can have a place to connect it to the face mask of a helmet. The most important requirement of an athletic mouthguard is that the player wear it and protect themselves from a lifetime of dental issues.

 

 

How Often Should I have A Professional Tooth Cleaning?

Dental hygienist polishing teethThe common belief is that you should visit your dental hygienist and have a professional tooth cleaning every six months. Did you know that this recommendation was not developed by a dentist or even based on dental science? It started around WWII as part of a Pepsodent toothpaste ad that promoted “Brush Twice A Day and See Your Dentist Twice a Year”.

The purpose of a professional cleaning is to eliminate both hard and soft deposits (plaque and tarter) from your teeth, which harbor bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. A professional dental cleaning also removes the stain that accumulates from foods and beverages. The stain not only makes your teeth look darker, but also creates a rough surface that the bacteria can stick to.

If you have a low risk for cavities and gum disease in combination with keeping your teeth clean effectively at home, then having a professional cleaning twice a year is sufficient. However, for patients who have a higher risk for cavities or gum disease one of the most effective methods of prevention is to have a professional tooth cleaning more often to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. Professional cleanings may be recommended 3, 4 or more times a year. We will look at your individual risk factors and discuss an interval for professional tooth cleanings that we think will keep your teeth healthy.