mouthguard

April is National Facial Protection Month

April 24th, 2017

 

April is National Facial Protection MonthIf your child is actively participating in sports in sunny San Diego, whether it is softball, basketball, football, then he or she is at greater risk for dental injuries.  A dental sports injury can occur in the form of a chipped or cracked tooth, broken jaw, cuts to the inside of the mouth, lips, and/or tongue.

Here are some dental facts:

  • Did you know that 3 out of 4 children will have experienced some type of injury to their teeth by the age of 15?
  • Girls are more likely to have a dental injury due to sports.
  • The cost of treating sports-related dental injuries can cost thousands of dollars! (Factor in the time and cost of treatment, numerous follow up visits, and time lost from work and school.)

Custom Mouthguard

A custom athletic mouthguard is an easy way to protect your child’s teeth during sports.  It will cushion the impact from a fall or an errand blow to the mouth.  Every year there are 200,000 dental injuries that are prevented by using a mouthguard.  Using a well fitting mouthguard can lessen the impact from concussions and jaw fractures.  Moreover, a well fitting mouthguard can reduce soft tissue injuries to the cheeks, tongue, and lips.

Dr. Allen Job says, “custom athletic mouthguards are made to fit your child’s mouth comfortably.”  They optimally protect the teeth, gums and jaw.  They flex, yet won’t tear.  They won’t limit speech or breathing.  More importantly, more since they fit perfectly they are more likely to be used regularly than an ill-fitting one.”

Ready-made mouthguards may be cheaper, but don’t fit as well thereby making it harder to speak or breathe.  Consequently, they are worn less.  Also, they also do not provide the same comfort and protection as a custom athletic mouthguard.

Check out more recommendations regarding  on what to do in case of dental injury.

Contact All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and find out how we can incorporate your child’s team colors into his or her custom athletic mouthguard.

Save your smile with a mouthguard!

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention.  He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

Oral Health Concerns for Teens

February 3rd, 2016

Oral Health Concerns for Teens

You have a lot more freedom as a teenager than you did as a young child. You also have a lot more responsibilities, and one of your jobs is to take care of your teeth. Develop and maintain good dental habits now so you can have great dental health for life!

Tooth Decay

As a teenager, you risk tooth decay, or dental cavities, if you are not careful. In fact, 59% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have at least one cavity, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Dr. Allen Job and our staff recommend keeping your teeth strong and healthy by brushing at least twice a day and flossing every day.

If you suspect that you have tooth decay, do not be embarrassed. Instead, ask your parents to bring you to All Smiles Pediatric Dentistry to get it addressed. When you do not treat your dental cavities, they can turn into more serious problems. A severely damaged tooth may need to be treated with a root canal or even an extraction.

You can take easy steps to prevent tooth decay when you are at school or hanging out with your friends. Carry a bottle of water around with you so you can take a sip after you eat any kind of food. Choose water or milk instead of soda or sports drinks, and if you chew gum, select a sugar-free flavor.

Other Oral Health Concerns

You can probably think of many reasons why you should not smoke or use tobacco. Your oral health is another one. Tobacco gives you bad breath and stains your teeth yellow. It also increases your risk for gum disease and cancer of the mouth. Smoking even slows the speed of healing after you have dental procedures done.

Here are a few more tips that can keep your mouth attractive and healthy during your teen years.

  • Drink plenty of milk.
  • Limit candies and sugary snacks.
  • Wear a mouthguard if you play a contact sport.
  • Visit pediatric dentist twice a year.
  • Reduce infections and avoid piercing your tongue and lips.

You only get one set of permanent teeth in your life, so get in the habit of taking care of them now!

Contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Allen Job.

Dr. Allen Job, DDS, MS, MPH, MS is a board certified pediatric dentist who practices in San Diego, California, where he specializes in prevention.  He is also an assistant professor at Loma Linda University Department of Pediatric Dentistry.