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Boxers wear them. NFL and NHL players wear them. In fact, most athletes who engage in sports with an element of physical contact will wear them. Mouthguards are a key component of a sports athlete’s protective wear and serve to protect the wearer’s upper and lower teeth and gums from impact injuries.

Although mouthguards can be bought in most sports equipment stores, they are usually of a standard size and shape, and so perhaps won’t provide the best protection. Traditionally ‘boil-and-bite’ – ie, the guard is heated in hot water and then placed into the mouth for shaping; but a dentist on the other hand can provide athletes with custom-made mouthguards that are designed to provide a far more secure fit and enhance the protective qualities of the guard.

Mouthguards are flexible plastic shields which protect against damage to the teeth, gums, jaws and joints and even to the neck and brain, by absorbing the impact sustained during any blow to the mouth or jaw. Mouthguards that are the wrong size, or are loose-fitting, may not provide adequate protection against impact blows, resulting in loss or damage to the teeth, or even more severe injury such as concussion.

When creating a custom-fit mouthguard, the dentist will take into account several factors in order to best match the patient’s mouth. He will examine the condition of the patient’s mouth and teeth; the age and stage of the patient’s tooth development and the sport in which the patient participates, as some sports may require a heavier, more protective mouthguard.

The dentist will take a series of impressions of both the patient’s upper and lower teeth, which are then sent to a dental lab with any other pertinent information in order for a cast to be created. The cast is then used to mold the mouthguard into the desired shape to provide the best fit for the patient.

Good mouthguards should provide a good fit, but also be comfortable enough to wear as well as flexible enough to cushion the force of any impact. It should also keep any disruption to the wearer’s speech or breathing to a minimum.

For all athletes engaged in a sport where there is the likelihood of physical contact and impact, a good mouthguard is an important addition to your sports kit.

To learn more about the benefits of custom mouthguards, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Glen Cove and the neighboring areas, at 516-484-6600.

Pregnancy can have an effect on many aspects of a woman’s life. As well as having an emotional effect, pregnancy can also have a physical effect, and can influence a person’s overall health including their oral health.

A dentist often stresses the importance of a regular dental care routine, and during pregnancy this is no different; in fact, it may be prudent to increase the level of care during the pregnancy, especially if problems begin to occur.

For most women, some changes in their oral behavior may be observed. Gums may bleed more easily and appear inflamed or swollen. These changes are known as ‘pregnancy gingivitis’ and can begin early in the pregnancy term, running through until close to the due date.

Pregnancy gingivitis is a common condition and is often caused by a change in the woman’s hormone level. A dentist will check for signs of periodontal disease, as hormone levels may stimulate the growth of bacteria which cause gingivitis, while the body’s immune system may alter the way it reacts to the bacteria.

Some women may develop ‘pregnancy granuloma’, which is a small lump that grows on the gums. This condition affects only a small percentage of pregnant women, and often occurs during the second trimester. The lump is, however, completely harmless – if a little painful – and disappears soon after the child’s birth.

Increased tooth erosion may occur in women who experience severe morning sickness, and frequent bouts of vomiting can often lead to the erosion of the tooth enamel at the back of the teeth. However, a dentist can advise on protecting the tooth enamel should severity or frequency of vomiting become a cause for concern.

Other oral issues that may occur during pregnancy include dry mouth and excessive saliva production. Dry mouth can be easily treated with plenty of fluids, or sucking on sugarless candies; while excessive saliva is often a short-term complaint and disappears on its own relatively quickly.

Despite these issues, a regular visit to the dentist is perfectly safe, and normal dental treatments can usually be carried out without issue. Major dental surgeries, dental x-rays or reconstructive treatments may have to wait until after childbirth, however. If in doubt, discuss any issues with a dentist, who can advise and reassure.

Contact our experienced team at East Hills Dental Associates, serving Glen Cove and the surrounding areas, for more information.

For patients who are faced with a decision on how to proceed when told they have a large cavity in a  tooth, there are multiple options to consider. A large filling might weaken the tooth or result in the tooth breaking. A dental crown is certainly an option, but if you’re seeking a resolution that falls somewhere in between those two choices, your dentist might recommend a porcelain inlay or onlay.

For a cavity on the chewing surface of the tooth, a porcelain onlay would be best. For dental decay in between teeth, a porcelain inlay is the appropriate treatment.

What makes porcelain onlays and inlays such a beneficial course of action?

• The aesthetics of porcelain trumps any other material we have today. Porcelain will not fade and is stain resistant. Porcelain is designed to match tooth color making it the choice of many patients who desire the natural look you can obtain versus gold or metal restorations.
• The porcelain onlay is designed to withstand the chewing pressure a tooth sustains during the course of a normal day. Your dentist might recommend composite resin to repair a small cavity, but when faced with a larger restoration, a porcelain onlay offers durability and strength to the treated tooth.
• With porcelain inlays and onlays, your dentist is able to reduce the amount of your natural tooth that must be removed for treatment as compared to a dental composite or crown.

At the onset of treatment your dentist will prepare the tooth and take an impression that will be used to fabricate the restoration. A temporary will be placed on the tooth to protect it until treatment is completed. When placing the onlay or inlay, the restoration is fitted to the tooth. And because it is made of porcelain, there is no possibility of shrinkage as sometimes happens with a traditional filling.

Your dentist will ensure an exact fit and permanently place the restoration. Any adjustments will be made to make sure the margins are correct and your bite is precise.

Taking care of your onlay or inlay requires nothing more than the excellent oral hygiene habits you already practice of flossing daily and brushing twice per day. A visit to our Glen Cove dentist twice per year for a professional cleaning and exam will help ensure your onlay or inlay will serve you well for many years. Call East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600 if you are in need of filling a cavity.