SPACE MAINTAINERS

Children may need space maintainers if they lose a tooth early due to accident or have a baby (primary) tooth extracted due to decay. A space maintainer is an appliance that is custom-made by a dentist or orthodontist in acrylic or metal material, and can be removal or fixed (cemented to the teeth)
Removable – this looks much like a retainer with plastic blocks to fill in where the tooth is missing. this is normally used in older children who can reliably follow directions.
Fixed – this type of space maintainer comes in 4 different designs: unilateral, crown and loop, distal shoe and lingual.

The unilateral and crown and loop space maintainers are placed on one side of the mouth to hold space open for one tooth. The unilateral space maintainer wraps around the outside of the tooth and is connected to a metal loop that holds the space intact. The crown and loop is an actual crown that covers the tooth and is attached to the loop to ensure there is space for the erupting tooth.

The distal shoe space maintainer is usually used for an unerupted first permanent molar tooth. This is also more complicated because the end of the metal is usually inserted into the gum line to keep the open space from closing. A dentist will need to monitor the progress of the erupting permanent molar to make sure it can erupt properly with this space maintainer.

The lingual space maintainer is usually bilateral in nature and may be cemented to molar teeth and connected by a wire on the inside of the lower front teeth. This is often used for more than one missing tooth.

Wearing the Space Maintainer Once the space maintainer is worn by your child, proper cleaning must be strictly followed to keep the gum tissue healthy and free of dental plaque. Proper instruction for tooth brushing and flossing is also considered for improved oral hygiene.

• Avoid sticky foods, including candies and chewing gum
• Do not push or tug on the space maintainer with the fingers or tongue
• Keep it clean through proper and effective brushing and flossing
• Regular dental visits

MOUTHGUARD/ OCCLUSAL GUARD

A mouthguard (also known as a mouth protector, mouth piece, gumshield, gumguard or nightguard/ occlusal guard) is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. Mouthguards are often used in contact sports, treatment for bruxism, temporomandibular disorder (TMD), some forms of headache, and as part of certain dental procedures. A mouthguard is made specifically to fit your mouth allowing you to talk without restriction. In fact, most people won’t even notice it unless they look directly into your mouth.

Who Needs a Mouthguard?

• Anyone who engage in contact sports or any physical or recreational activity that might pose a risk of injury to the mouth
• Adults and children who grind their teeth at night should have a nocturnal bite plate or bite splint made to prevent tooth damage

How to Care for Your Mouthguard?

• Rinse with cold water or with a mouth wash before and after each use
• Clean in cool, soapy water and rinse thoroughly
• Store in a firm, perforated container; if the mouthguard is acrylic, keep it in fresh clean water
• Protect from high temperatures such as hot water, hot surfaces or direct sunlight to avoid shape distortion
• Check for general wear; if there are holes or tears in it or if it becomes loose or causes discomfort, make sure to replace it
• Have it examined by your dentist on every dental visit