St. Paul Braces Expert Reminds Parents to Buy New Mouth Guards for Children in Sports

St. Paul, MN 8/23/2009 04:58 AM GMT (TransWorldNews)

August 23, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – The St. Paul, MN orthodontics practice of Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth reminds parents to bring in their children’s mouth guards to ensure a proper fit in time for fall sports once they return to school in several weeks.

Students grow every year and last year’s mouth guard may not fit adequately to prevent injury, said Eisenhuth, a St. Paul orthodontist who fits athletes for custom mouth guards at her office.

“Just as children outgrow their cleats and skates, they outgrow their mouth guards as well,” she said. “Ill-fitting mouth guards will not effectively protect your child’s teeth.”

Parents can have custom mouth guards made for their children in two orthodontic visits. At the first appointment, Eisenhuth takes an impression of the mouth to create the mouth guard. A week later, a second appointment is necessary to ensure a proper fit. The mouth guard should be comfortable and the wearer should be able to breathe and speak properly with it in place.

If parents opt to purchase a mouth guard at a sporting goods store, it still is important to bring it in so Eisenhuth can take a look at it and make sure it is thick enough in the appropriate areas and fits snugly so that it protects the teeth adequately, she said.

Mouth guards do more than help prevent tooth injuries. They also work to prevent a concussion in the event the child is hit while playing sports.

Students who participate in any type of contact sport or other sport where they could inadvertently be hit in the mouth should be fitted for a mouth guard, Eisenhuth said. Some examples include karate, lacrosse, football, hockey, soccer and basketball.

Now that school is right around the corner, it’s also a good time for parents to schedule one last orthodontic check-up over the summer, said Eisenhuth, a St. Paul, MN Invisalign provider. Patients who are undergoing Invisalign treatment can pick up their next three sets of aligners to wear, which will give them another six weeks until they must return for a follow-up appointment.

“Many parents don’t like for their children to have to miss portions of school for their orthodontic appointments especially at the beginning of the year,” she said. “Now is the time to try to squeeze in one more check-up while school is out.”

Learn More

If you would like more information about Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth or are interested in scheduling a free consultation, visit her Web site, http://doctorjennifer.com/, or call (651) 406-8100. Dr. Eisenhuth’s office is located at 3340 Sherman Ct. in Eagan.