As part of an arrangement with the GPA local dentist Emmett Murray has been supplying custom made mouth-guards for the Tyrone senior football team.
As they prepared for their biggest match of the season so far several of the players were on hand to receive a consignment of mouth-guards on behalf of the team.
Dental health and dental injuries have become increasingly important and as the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Dental injuries are the commonest type of facial injury sustained during participation in sports. Anyone engaged in contact sports should use a well-made mouth-guard to reduce the risk of injury to teeth, bone and lips, and also to reduce the risk of concussion. There is evidence that in most sports the cost of treatment following dental injuries is greater than for any other injury. This is because most sports injuries heal completely without residual disability, while injuries to the mouth can often entail further treatment throughout life.
When a mouth-guard is made, the dentist takes an impression of the upper teeth. A dental laboratory then makes the mouth-guard. An identification label can be permanently sealed into the mouth-guard when it is made, to help in case of loss.
A custom-made mouth-guard designed by a dentist will provide a better fit, and be more comfortable to wear, than the fit-it-yourself mouth-guards sold in sports shops; and it will be more likely to stay in place on impact. A better fit will also ensure that breathing is not inhibited. ‘Boil and bite’ mouth-guards may show a CE European quality mark, but this mark refers only to the production consistency of the mouth-guard material and says nothing about the effectiveness of the mouth-guard’s protection against impact.
A custom-made mouth-guard may cost up to £60. Also, think about having a spare made at the same time, which would be cheaper – this will probably add £25–£30 to the cost. It is important that a mouth-guard is properly looked after.
Dentists recommend that:
• soap and water are used to wash the mouth-guard immediately after use;
• it is then dried thoroughly and stored in a perforated container;
• it should be rinsed with a mouth-rinse or a mild antiseptic (e.g. 0.2% chlorhexidine) immediately before being used again;
• it should be inspected regularly to check its fit, particularly for children who are still growing;
• it should not be chewed, as this damages the mouth-guard and shortens its life.
Another tip: loss of a mouth-guard can be very bad for confidence, so keep mouth-guards in your hand-luggage when you travel. A mouth-guard is essential equipment and should be worn for training too, not just for the big event.
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