While mouthguards are not mandatory equipment in all sports, their worth is indisputable. Mouthguards cushion blows to the face and neck. A mouthguard should be part of every athlete's gear, no matter the sport. Even adults or weekend athletes need to protect their smile and preserve their health.
Do: At Kneib Dentistry, we feel that you should wear a mouthguard at all times when playing sports. Wear a mouthguard custom-fitted by a dentist, especially if you wear bridges or braces.
Don't: Wear removable products, like retainers, when playing sports.
What is the Emergency Dental/Crisis Treatment?
Many people don't see a dentist on a regular basis. They go only when they feel they have a problem. At Kneib Dentistry, we call this "crisis treatment" as opposed to "preventive treatment."
While these patients may feel they are saving money, it usually ends up costing much more in both dollars and time. The reason for this is that most dental problems don't have any symptoms until they reach the advanced stages.
An example is tooth decay. At Kneib Dentistry, we hear all the time, "Nothing hurts... I don't have any problems." But tooth decay doesn't hurt! Until that is, it gets close to the nerve of the tooth.
Then a root canal and crown are usually necessary instead of the small filling, which could have been placed several years ago when the cavity was small. Dr. Kneib can usually detect a cavity 3 or 4 years before it may develop any symptoms. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a tremendous cavity and they have never felt a thing!
How can I spot dental problems?
One of the easiest problems to spot is a build-up of plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria, which is constantly forming on the teeth.
Usually, it is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth at the gum line. If not removed, it can lead to gum disease.
Another potential problem, which is easy to spot, is missing teeth. Many assume that if they are still able to eat, they are OK.
But very often, losing just one tooth can lead to the loss of support, and teeth begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in the bite. It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes past their ability to adapt. In most cases, when even one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are more likely to be lost as well.
When should my child first see a dentist?
First visit by first birthday sums it up. Your child should visit a dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age. An early examination at Kneib Dentistry and preventive care will protect your child's smile now and in the future.
Monday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Tuesday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Wednesday | 7:30am - 5:00pm |
Thursday | 8:00am - 5:00pm |
Friday | 8:00am - 1:00pm | No Appointments |