Custom made Mouthguards greatly reduce the risk and severity of mouth injuries. Mouthguards are recommended injury prevention for all at-risk sports. Custom made Mouthguards can only be made by your dentist. Because your child's teeth are changing so much, it is necessary to have a new Mouthguard made yearly. Custom Mouthguards are much more comfortable to wear than a mouthguard purchased at a sports store. They fit the teeth and mouth snugly, and do not interfere with breathing; therefore, your child is more motivated to wear it. The cost of a custom made Mouthguard is $50–$75, but this amount pales when compared to the thousands of dollars that may be necessary to treat a damaged or lost tooth. Mouthguards are indicated when your child’s permanent front teeth are beginning to come into the mouth, at about 8 years old.
A mouthguard also helps prevent injury to the gums, lips, and joint by absorbing the impact. Some believe a mouthguard can minimize head concussions.
In baseball, an injury to the mouth and teeth is most likely to occur while the player is catching a ball, at bat, running the bases (and being hit by a errant throw) and fielding a ball either on the ground or a fly ball. However, because a dental injury can occur at any time, it is suggested your child wear the Mouthguard at all times, including practices and games.
Injuries to the teeth are classified into three types: Luxation (tooth in socket, but wrong position), Avulsion (entire tooth knocked out), and Fracture (broken tooth). In each of these injuries, your first concern is the injured player. First, calm the player. Secondly, apply pressure to the area of the mouth that may be bleeding. Then follow the instructions below for the particular type of injury.
Emergency Treatment of Luxated Tooth (Tooth in Socket, but Wrong Position)
Do nothing - avoid any repositioning of tooth
Transport immediately to dentist.
Emergency Treatment of Avulsion (Entire Tooth Knocked Out) and Fracture (Broken Tooth)
Find and save the tooth but avoid additional trauma to the tooth. Do not brush, scrub or sterilize the tooth. If debris is on tooth, gently rinse it with water.
If tooth is broken, save all portions, and follow instructions below.
Place the tooth and/or fractured pieces in solution. The best solution is "Save-a-Tooth". Some of the Noll/Poll emergency first aid kits have a "Save-a-Tooth" (see below for ordering information).
2nd best: Place tooth in milk. Cold milk is best.
3rd best: Wrap tooth in saline soaked gauze.
4th best: Place tooth under athlete’s tongue. Do this only if athlete is conscious and alert.
5th best: Place tooth in cup of water.
Transport immediately to dentist. Time is very important. Treatment within 30 minutes has the highest degree of success.
How to order "Save-a-Tooth": Call Save-A-Tooth at 888-788-6684.
