Hopefully you are one of many health-conscious San Diego 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 San Diego gyms, specialty facilities, and recreation departments in recent years. With all these exciting ways to exercise becoming commonplace, people in the San Diego area may not be aware of the tooth risks associated with them.
I’m Dr. Marcos Ortega, a concerned San Diego dentist and fitness enthusiast, and I 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 San Diego 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 braces or dental bridges, not to mention the damage that can be caused to the orthodontic appliances themselves. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for San Diego patients undergoing these treatments. Your cosmetic dentist will let you know what type of mouthguard is best for protecting your smile.
If you have questions about dentistry in San Diego or any are in need of emergency dental care, please contact my office to schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting you.
Dr. Marcos Ortega
Marcos Ortega DDS
306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25
San Diego, California
619-295-4545
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