Mouth Guards

Spring is in the air at Barden Orthodontics!

April 7th, 2023

As the weather (finally!) gets warmer, patients and their families are enjoying more time outside.  This includes more time playing outdoor sports such as soccer, baseball, softball, and lacrosse.  We want to remind everyone that wearing a mouth guard is essential to protect your teeth and jaw from damage in a sport-related accident or facial injury.  Mouth guards should be worn at all times during practice and games. Please let us know if you need one that works with braces.

With more time spent outside people are also biking on the local trails and playing other non-contact sports. While chances of injuries are lower with these activities, we do see some emergencies still happen from unanticipated falls and accidents.  Check out this helpful information on what to do in case of a dental emergency or a sport-related dental emergency. If any of your orthodontic appliances, brackets or wires are damaged, please schedule an appointment with our team.

Please give us a call at Barden Orthodontics at 414-962-1281 if you have any questions about mouth guards. Check out our office and website for more information!

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Tips for Sports-Related Dental Emergencies

October 8th, 2021

Sports are a great way for children and teens to exercise, learn the value of teamwork, and have fun.  Many of our patients play sports while in orthodontic treatment. Dr. Barden recommends that patients always wear a properly fitting mouthguard when playing sports, whether it’s for fun, during practice, or during competition.  Learn more about the importance of mouthguards when playing sports.

If a sports-related dental emergency occurs, here are some helpful tips provided by the American Dental Association.

Knocked out tooth. If the tooth is dirty, hold the tooth by the top (crown) and rinse gently.  If possible, you can try to insert the tooth back into the socket. Otherwise put the tooth in a container with milk. Contact your dentist immediately for an emergency visit.

Cracked or broken tooth.  Rinse your mouth with warm water and put a cold pack on the face to minimize swelling.  Save the broken part of the tooth in a wet cloth. Contact your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment.

Jaw possibly broken.  Apply a cold ice pack on the face to minimize swelling and contact your dentist or go to the emergency room immediately.

Bitten tongue or lip.  Clean the area gently and use cold packs on the area to minimize swelling. Contact your dentist or go to the emergency room if there is heavy bleeding that does not stop after a short period of time.

Mouthguards can prevent or minimize many sports-related injuries. Ask Dr. Doug Barden or his staff if you have any questions or need a mouthguard that works with braces. Check out more emergency care tips on our website.

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Do you Grind your Teeth?

June 4th, 2021

Are you concerned about grinding teeth and jaw pain? Grinding or clenching teeth is also known as bruxism. Grinding is sliding teeth back and forth over each other. Clenching is when you hold your top and bottom teeth tightly together. Both grinding and clenching can damage teeth and cause facial or jaw pain.

Symptoms of bruxism include:

  • Headache or earache
  • Sore jaw
  • Jaw clicking
  • Frequent toothaches
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Facial pain
  • Worn or cracked teeth
  • Insomnia

Bruxism can be caused by many different things and should be diagnosed by your dentist. Once your dentist diagnoses the problem, they will work with you to outline a treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and concerns. Some treatments that may be recommended include stress management, nightguards while sleeping, medication for pain, jaw exercises to relax the muscles, and dental treatments to fix any damage to your teeth.

If you have any questions or concerns about grinding or clenching your teeth be sure to check with your dentist or ask Dr. Douglas Barden at your next visit in our Whitefish Bay office.

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Sports and Teeth

April 2nd, 2021

Patients often ask if they can still play sports while in orthodontic treatment. The answer is YES!  Many of our patients (children, teens, and adults) are active with sports.

Dr. Barden recommends that everyone always protect their smile with a properly fitted mouthguard when playing sports and there is the potential for injury to your mouth or jaw. This is true even if you are not in orthodontic treatment.

When should you wear a mouthguard?

  • Mouthguards should be used when playing any contact sport such as football, hockey, baseball, softball, wrestling, field hockey, boxing, martial arts, rugby, soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.
  • Mouth guards can also be helpful for non-contact sports such as gymnastics or skateboarding where falls and accidents can cause mouth and jaw injuries.
  • Wear the mouthguard for practices as well as games.

Mouthguard tips:

  • Mouthguards should have enough flex that they won’t break or tear.
  • Mouthguards should fit properly and be comfortable.
  • Mouthguards should not impair speech or breathing.
  • Custom made mouthguards often work the best and are the most comfortable. See your dentist if you need a custom fit mouthguard.
  • If you have braces you will need a mouthguard that fits with braces. See Dr. Barden if you need one.
  • Don’t wear orthodontic appliances, such as retainers, when wearing a mouthguard.
  • Rinse the mouthguard in cool, soapy water after each use.
  • Store the mouthguard in a hard case and away from the sun or in the heat. Sun and heat may melt or distort mouthguards.
  • Children and teens may need new mouthguards as they grow to ensure proper fit.

Sport-related dental injuries can be painful and expensive.  A quality mouth guard is a good investment to protect your smile.  Ask Dr. Barden if you have any questions about mouthguards and protecting your smile while in orthodontic treatment.

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