Mouth Guards
This young man was playing hockey without any type of facial protection. Although the tooth was simple to repair, it will require a lifetime of monitoring and probable subsequent repairs. The injury could easily have been avoided had the patient been wearing an athletic mouth guard.
Athletic mouth guards are tough, flexible vinyl coverings for the teeth and gums which are thick enough to absorb the impact of blows sustained in contact sports, and protect the teeth from being knocked loose or fractured. They can be purchased at sporting goods stores, or may be custom made by a dentist.
Mouth guards are appropriate whenever a patient is involved in activities that are potentially dangerous to the teeth, gums and tooth-supporting (alveolar) bone.
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