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Everything You Need to Know about Mouthguards
Playing sports can be risky. You could twist your ankle, sprain a wrist, bite your lip, or get a tooth knocked out. While you can’t eliminate all risks when playing sports, you can protect your teeth and lips by wearing a custom mouthguard. Learn more about your options here to help you decide what’s best for you.
What is a Mouthguard?
A mouthguard is an oral appliance designed to protect your teeth, lips, and cheeks from injury while playing sports. Similarly, night guards help prevent damage from nighttime tooth-grinding, also known as bruxism. The American Dental Association (ADA) has specific guidelines for what makes the ideal mouthguard. The appliance should:
- Sit comfortably and securely in the wearer’s mouth
- Cover all the teeth on one or both arches
- Have a resilient design and construction with materials approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Be easy to clean
- Maintain high-impact energy absorption and force transmittance if the wearer is playing sports
Types of Mouthguards
Not all mouthguards are created equal. There are three main types to choose from:
- Stock mouthguards come in various sizes, with most options fitting over the top teeth. This option can be bulky and uncomfortable.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards are inexpensive options available in most drugstores. You place the mouthguard in boiling water to soften it, and then mold it to your teeth for a better fit than most stock mouthguards can provide.
- Custom-made mouthguards are the best, longest-lasting options available. A dentist makes a mouthpiece just for you, with the perfect fit and maximum comfort.
Do I Need a Mouthguard?
Mouthguards serve different purposes. You should consider getting one if any of the following applies to you:
- You play sports. The ADA recommends mouthguards to protect against chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, and soft tissue injuries while playing full-contact sports such as hockey, football, lacrosse, and wrestling. Athletes who play non-contact sports can also benefit from wearing a mouthguard.
- You grind your teeth at night. You’ll need to wear a different kind of mouthguard, known as a night guard, to prevent tooth grinding while you sleep.
- You have jaw joint disorder. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) is a condition that causes the muscles around your jaw to become inflamed, leading to tooth clenching and grinding. A specially made mouthguard can help with this.
At Park 56 Dental, we help our patients protect their teeth with Under Armour® Performance Mouthwear™. These advanced mouthguards are custom-made to fit your bite for superior protection and comfort. Under Armour mouthpieces are made from the highest quality materials for safety and durability. Athletes who play sports in college, professional leagues, and the Olympics put their trust in Under Armour, and so can you.
If you’re an athlete looking for the best teeth and mouth protection available, please call Park 56 Dental at (212) 826-2322 or schedule an appointment online today. We offer quick, custom mouthguard fittings that take as little as 20 minutes.
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Invisalign During COVID Times
Are you working toward a straighter, more beautiful smile with Invisalign? Perhaps you’re interested in pursuing this wire-free tooth-straightening method, but you’re not sure where to start. After all, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered dental practices and left many patients wondering what procedures are even available at this time.
Rest assured that Park 56 Dental in NYC is open for business! We’ve made a few changes to ensure your safety and comfort while visiting our office. For instance, we provide a pre-visit health screening and contactless temperature check for all visitors and team members. We also offer masks and hand sanitizer upon request, and we maintain social distancing with staggered check-ins and zero wait times.
Whether you’re interested in starting Invisalign or continuing your existing treatment during COVID times, we can meet your needs. Here’s what you need to know.
Beginning Invisalign Treatment
With the safety protocols in place at our New York City dentist office, now is a good time to begin Invisalign treatment. Visit our office for digital X-rays and a scan of your mouth. Thanks to advanced computer technology and your dentist’s expertise, you’ll receive a roadmap of your path to a straighter smile before leaving the office.
Once the plan is finalized, custom aligners are made to fit your existing smile, along with 18 to 30 additional sets of aligners designed to gradually shift your teeth to the desired position over the next nine to 15 months or so. Pick up your aligners from us, and start wearing them to begin seeing a difference within a matter of weeks.
Continuing Your Invisalign Treatment
If you already have Invisalign aligners from before the pandemic, continue to wear them as usual. You should experience no delays in your treatment if you follow these tips:
- Wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day.
- If you lose an aligner, move on to the next one.
- If you have any issues with loose or poorly fitting aligners, give us a call.
With today’s heightened focus on hygiene and avoiding illness, you should be extra diligent about keeping your Invisalign aligners clean during COVID times. Here’s how:
- Wash your hands before putting in or taking out your Invisalign.
- Rinse your aligners whenever you remove them, and clean them thoroughly morning and night.
- Never eat or drink anything except water when wearing your aligners.
- Store your aligners in a protective case anytime you take them out.
- Brush or floss before putting your Invisalign back in.
The skilled dentists at Park 56 Dental are ready to help transform your smile with Invisalign. If you’re still working from home during these COVID times, you’re sure to make an impression when you return to work a few months from now with straight, gorgeous teeth!
Want to learn more about the Invisalign process? Ready to schedule a consultation at our New York City dentist office? Call us at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online today.
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Should You Visit the Dentist During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
For several weeks in early 2020, dentists in New York City and elsewhere across the globe were required to stop providing non-urgent care in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As we resume our “new normal,” many patients are asking—is it still too early to visit the dentist?
Rest assured that the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are now allowing patients to return to the dentist for routine cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and other elective services—with a few changes in place. Here’s what you should know before visiting the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is My Dentist’s Office Safe?
Germs are everywhere, but healthcare facilities, including dentist’s offices, have always been among the cleanest places you could go. Many safety guidelines have been the norm for years, including regularly washing your hands, sterilizing tools, and discarding certain gear and needles after a single use.
In light of the pandemic, many dentists, including Park 56 Dental in NYC, are doing even more. Here are some of the steps we’re taking to ensure patient safety and comfort:
- Conducting pre-visit health screenings and contactless temperature checks for all visitors and staff
- Making masks and hand sanitizer available upon request
- Staggering check-ins to minimize wait times and help maintain social distancing
- Holding virtual appointments to answer questions or conduct follow-ups
How “Essential” are Dentist Visits?
The fact that dentist offices were shut down for everything but emergency procedures could make some people think that routine teeth cleanings aren’t that important. However, the condition of your teeth and gums can greatly impact your overall health. In fact, putting off routine cleanings could compound dental problems and other health issues in the months and years to come.
The practical precautions that dentist offices are currently taking are effective at reducing the risk of coronavirus transmission while allowing you to care for your teeth and gums. Skipping your appointments any longer than necessary is simply not worth the risk to your oral health.
What to Consider Before Going to the Dentist
Social distancing is the best way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate for 14 days. In short, cancel your dentist appointment if you’re not feeling well. You’ll be sent home if you come in with a cough, fever, or shortness of breath. You should also stay home if you think you have been around anyone who has the coronavirus, whether or not they have tested positive.
Park 56 Dental in NYC is open for business! Anything that can be done remotely, such as payments or health questionnaires, will be handled over the phone or via email. We are taking COVID-19 restrictions seriously and place your safety above all else. Please call us at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online to ask questions about our coronavirus precautions or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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What is an All-on-4 Implant Procedure?
Just a decade ago, most patients were unaware that an All-on-4 implant procedure even existed. Today, many people specifically request this alternative to dentures and traditional full-arch implants. What exactly is this restoration technique, and could it be right for you?
About All-on-4 Implants
All-on-4 implants are a full-arch fixed dental implant bridge. This technology immediately replaces an entire row of teeth. As the name suggests, all the teeth are supported on just four posts that are surgically implanted into your jawbone. The result is a mouthful of healthy-looking, naturally functioning teeth.
Benefits of All-on-4 Implants
If you’re considering dental implants for a full arch of teeth, All-on-4 implants might be the better choice. The procedure is faster, more cost-effective, and requires no bone grafting for most patients. Plus, only four posts are needed compared to six or eight posts. In this way, All-on-4 implants save you time, money, and discomfort compared to traditional full-arch implants.
Then, unlike dentures, All-on-4 implants:
- Are permanent additions to your mouth that can be brushed like natural teeth
- Never have to be taken out
- Require no adhesives
- Support a strong bite force so you can eat all your favorite foods again
- Are comfortable because they are in a fixed position rather than pressing on your gums when you bite and chew
- Allow for the full taste and temperature experience of your food
- Prevent jawbone deterioration
- Help you maintain a healthy facial structure
The All-on-4 Implants Procedure
This technology uses “tilted implants” to increase strength and stability, as well as avoid damage to the sinus cavity in the upper jaw and the nerve canal in the lower jaw. The initial surgery involves installing the implants. A temporary set of teeth is placed over the implants before you leave the office. Once the healing process is complete about six months after surgery, a permanent, custom bridge is placed.
Candidates for All-on-4 Implants
You may be a good candidate for this procedure if you are missing most or all of your teeth on one or both arches. It doesn’t matter whether you already wear dentures or not. Age is also not a limiting factor—as long as you’re in good overall health, you may qualify.
Be prepared to take excellent care of your All-on-4 implants, using many of the same techniques you would expect with natural teeth. Proper care is needed to help your implants last for many years to come. Rest assured that your dental hygienist will review all instructions with you and recommend the best daily oral care plan to fit your needs.
The skilled dentists at Park 56 Dental work with the nation’s top laboratories for access to 3D, digitally guided plans. This ensures expert post placement and flawless prosthetic teeth for a smile you can be proud of! If you’re interested in learning more about the All-on-4 implant procedure, please contact us online or call our New York City dentist office at (212) 826-2322.
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