Dental Sports Injury
By Robert G. Esham, D.D.S. of DELMARVA DENTAL SERVICES, P.A.

Recently, a 13-year-old came into the office after being hit in the mouth with a baseball bat thrown during a game. One front tooth was chipped, requiring a porcelain veneer. The other
had a diagonal fracture across the tooth, continuing upward under the gum, needing a root canal and post and core. It will also need orthodontics (braces) to move it downward and out from the gum to access the crack prior to placing a crown. The total cost . . . approximately $3,000. Five million teeth will be knocked out in sporting activities this year. One out of 3 boys and one out of 4 girls will experience a dental injury by the time they finish high school. It’s a fact that most of these injuries can be prevented by wearing a mouthguard. A mouthguard is a flexible appliance made of plastic that covers the upper teeth and part of the gums. It prevents injuries to the teeth, prevents concussions, cerebral hemorrhages, unconsciousness, jaw fractures and neck injuries. There are TWO types of mouthguards. “Boil and Bite” is purchased at a store, gives some protection with a limited fit. It’s held in place by closing the jaw and may interfere with speech and breathing. It is less costly, therefore, more common. “Custom” mouthguards are fabricated by a dentist, offer the best protection due to their strength and custom fit. “Custom,” by far, is most comfortable and most likely to be worn, with less interference with speech and none on breathing. Mouthguards should be worn when participating in basketball, softball, baseball. football, lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey, rugby, inline skating, skateboarding, bicycling, martial arts and boxing. “Custom” made mouthguards can be thicker, for participation in higher risk sports. A “Custom” made mouthguard is a wise investment that will prevent needless injury, suffering and unnecessary costly repair.

MAGGIE'S MEMO:
The office of Drs. Esham, Harmon, Makowske & Cypher of DELMARVA DENTAL SERVICES P.A. goes beyond providing comprehensive dentistry, and includes educating their patients so they can make informed decisions about their dental care. A full range of multimedia, including cable TV and audio CDs with headphones, helps patients to relax. The office of DELMARVA DENTAL SERVICES P.A. offer a wide range of services including: implants, cosmetic dentistry, smile analysis, athletic mouthguards, snoreguards, bite-guards, tooth colored inlays and fillings, crowns, metal-free bridges, root canals, dentures, non-surgical gum treatment for gum disease, orthodontics, and breath freshening. The office serves the whole family and accepts most major credit cards.

MAGGIE SAYS:
"It had been ten years since I had been to the dentist," recalls one patient of the office of DELMARVA DENTAL SERVICES P.A. "They specialize in treating people who are afraid of the dentist. They are definitely patient oriented and very accommodating to your needs." She has gone on to have fillings, root canals, and crowns. The office of Drs. Esham, Harmon, Makowske & Cypher of DELMARVA DENTAL SERVICES P.A. make going to the dentist as painless as possible. Contact them at 410-742-3000 and they will do everything they can to keep you relaxed and your smile bright.