Our teeth are precious to us. They provide us with beautiful smiles and help us to effectively chew the foods that we eat! Since they are so beneficial, it is a priority that we take good care of them. This means it is important to properly brush and floss, as well as protect our teeth during sporting events to prevent any damage.
Text: Palatal expansion was first discussed in writing in 1860 when Emerson Angell published a paper about it in Dental Cosmos.
Palate Expanders and Sports:
If you have a son with a palate expander currently who may be interested in playing football or a son who plays football now, who may need a palate expander, do not panic. He will still be able to play and live out his football dreams, but he will need to take extra steps to ensure that his teeth will be protected.
Since the palate expander is placed in the upper back molars of his mouth and not on the front surface of the teeth, this helps if playing contact sports. Unlike braces, where it would be possible to break a bracket off the front of tooth, the palate expander is less likely to become directly damaged. However, this does not mean that damage to the palate expander may never occur. Since football is a much more physical sport, depending if it is tackle football or flag football, you never know what may or may not happen. For this reason, it is best to be prepared and have your child wear a mouthguard no matter the age.
Text: Did you know that some adults can also benefit from the palate expander?
A mouthguard is designed to help protect the teeth by cushioning a blow to the face. Mouthguards minimize risk of broken teeth, or injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. Typically, they cover the upper teeth since top teeth tend to take on more damage because they stick out a bit more.
Additional tips to keep in mind about mouthguards:
- If you see signs or wear or damage to your mouthguard, you will need to replace it immediately.
- With mouthguards, it is important to keep them clean and dry between games or practice.
- You should be regularly cleaning the mouthguard before and after use with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Keep your mouthguard away from pets; they may like to think that they’re play toys.
- Remember to take your mouthguard to dental appointments and orthodontic appointments to ensure proper fit and effectiveness!
Additional Questions?
If you have any additional questions about palate expanders, sports, or mouthguards, please contact Richmond, Virginia Orthodontics today so that we may have the pleasure of providing you with the information that you are looking for!
Text: Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion or SARME is a technique used to expand the maxillary arch.
