It is critical to use Facial Protection.
National Facial Protection Month is celebrated in April, and people from all areas of life should mark their calendars accordingly. It is sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Academy for Sports Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
The campaign’s goal is to educate and remind us of the importance of protecting our faces and teeth from impacts and injuries.
The use of a helmet may save your life and avoid catastrophic bodily injury in a range of scenarios, ranging from playing football to riding a bicycle. In accordance with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, wearing a helmet may lower the risk of different types of head injuries by up to 86%, depending on the situation.
If helmet rules apply in your region or not, Dr. Marianne Cohan and our staff at Summerlin Dental Solutions want you to be sure you and your loved ones are wearing helmets with the necessary safety ratings for the activities in which they participate. (This grade is generally shown by a sticker on the outside or inside of the helmet.) Additionally, if your helmet comes with an attached faceguard, which is a must-have for football players and other athletes who participate in contact sports, your teeth may be saved as well!
Preventing Dental Injuries is important.
You may avoid a number of dental injuries by wearing a mouth guard, such as cracking, breaking, or knocking out teeth. According to the American Oral Association, mouth guards are critical in avoiding up to 200,000 dental injuries each year, and several states require the wearing of mouth guards during sports activities such as football and hockey. The Academy for Sports Dentistry, on the other hand, cautions that in order to be successful, these mouth guards must be custom fitted and exact as possible.
Allow our experts at Summerlin Dental Solutions to custom mold and fit you with a high-quality mouth guard that provides superior protection than a generic store-bought or “boil-and-bite” kind. These less expensive alternatives have a tendency to wear out more rapidly, to interfere with appropriate breathing, and to offer varying degrees of impact cushioning. Always get a new mouth guard fitted before the start of each new athletic season.
Protect your teeth and face this April by wearing the proper combination of a helmet, faceguard, and mouth guard, and encourage your friends to do the same! Please contact our Summerlin Dental Solutions office if you have any questions regarding mouth guards or if you would like to arrange an appointment with Dr. Marianne Cohan in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Facial Protection Month
Q1: What is a custom mouthguard and why is it better than a store-bought one?
A custom mouthguard is fabricated from impressions of your teeth at Summerlin Dental Solutions, creating a precise fit that stays in place, allows normal breathing and speaking, and provides significantly better protection than generic boil-and-bite guards from the store.
Q2: Which sports require a mouthguard?
The ADA recommends mouthguards for any sport with risk of contact: football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, martial arts, skateboarding, and cycling. Dr. Cohan also recommends them for recreational activities like mountain biking and rock climbing.
Q3: How much does a custom mouthguard cost in Las Vegas?
Custom mouthguards at Summerlin Dental Solutions typically cost $200 to $500, depending on the level of protection needed. This is a small investment compared to the thousands of dollars in dental repair a mouthguard can prevent.
Q4: Can children get custom mouthguards?
Yes, and they especially should. Children and teens are at highest risk for sports-related dental injuries. Dr. Cohan can create a custom guard that fits properly and is comfortable enough that your child will actually wear it.
Q5: How often should a mouthguard be replaced?
Adults should replace mouthguards every 2 to 3 years or sooner if they show signs of wear. Children and teens may need new guards more frequently as their teeth and jaws are still growing.
Q6: Can a mouthguard prevent concussions?
While mouthguards are primarily designed to protect teeth, lips, and gums, some research suggests they may help reduce the severity of concussions by absorbing impact force. They are not a substitute for helmets but provide an additional layer of protection.
Q7: What should I do if I have a dental injury during a game?
If a tooth is knocked out, follow the reimplantation steps (handle by crown, keep moist in milk). For any dental injury, contact Summerlin Dental Solutions at (702) 341-9160 immediately. We offer same-day emergency appointments.
Q8: How do I care for my mouthguard?
Rinse with cool water after each use, brush with a toothbrush and mild soap, store in a ventilated case, keep out of heat (do not leave in a hot car), and bring it to your checkups so Dr. Cohan can evaluate the fit.
Q9: I have braces — can I still wear a mouthguard?
Yes, and it is especially important. Dr. Cohan can create a mouthguard that fits over braces and protects both your teeth and the brackets. Do not use a standard boil-and-bite guard over braces, as it will not fit properly.
Q10: Is a mouthguard worth the investment?
Absolutely. Repairing a single knocked-out tooth with a dental implant costs $3,000 to $5,500. A crown for a fractured tooth costs $1,000 to $1,800. A custom mouthguard at $200 to $500 is one of the smartest preventive investments in dentistry.
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DIY Teeth Whitening Safety
Q1: Are DIY teeth whitening methods safe?
Most are not recommended by dental professionals. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can damage enamel with frequent use. Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are acidic enough to erode enamel. Charcoal is highly abrasive. Hydrogen peroxide in store concentrations is less effective than professional products. Dr. Cohan recommends professional whitening for safe, predictable results.
Q2: Can baking soda whiten my teeth safely?
Occasional use of baking soda is unlikely to cause harm, but regular use can wear down enamel over time because it is abrasive. It removes some surface stains but cannot change the intrinsic color of your teeth the way professional whitening at Summerlin Dental Solutions can.
Q3: Is charcoal toothpaste safe for teeth?
Dental professionals generally advise against charcoal toothpaste. It is highly abrasive and can scratch enamel, making teeth more susceptible to staining and sensitivity over time. The ADA has not granted its Seal of Acceptance to any charcoal toothpaste product.
Q4: Do whitening strips from the drugstore actually work?
They can provide modest improvement for mild staining, but the peroxide concentration is much lower than professional products, so results are limited and uneven. Professional whitening at Summerlin Dental Solutions uses custom-fitted trays or in-office treatments for dramatically better, more uniform results.
Q5: Can lemon juice or apple cider vinegar whiten teeth?
While acidic substances can temporarily make teeth appear lighter by etching the surface, they actively dissolve enamel. This causes long-term damage including increased sensitivity, yellowness (as dentin shows through thinner enamel), and higher cavity risk. Never use acidic substances as whitening agents.
Q6: What is the safest way to whiten teeth?
Professional whitening supervised by a dentist is the safest and most effective method. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, Dr. Cohan ensures the whitening agent concentration is appropriate for your enamel, custom trays prevent gum irritation, and results are monitored for safety.
Q7: How much does professional whitening cost compared to DIY?
Professional whitening at Summerlin Dental Solutions costs $300 to $600 and delivers dramatic, even results in one visit. DIY products cost $20 to $60 but provide modest, uneven results and carry enamel damage risk. The professional option is a far better value per shade of improvement.
Q8: Can DIY whitening damage my dental work?
Whitening products do not change the color of crowns, veneers, bonding, or fillings. Using them on teeth with visible dental work can create a mismatched appearance. Dr. Cohan can advise on whitening around existing restorations to ensure a consistent result.
Q9: Why do some people get tooth sensitivity from whitening?
Whitening agents temporarily open microscopic pores in enamel, allowing the peroxide to reach the nerve-containing dentin layer. This causes transient sensitivity that typically resolves within a few days. Professional whitening includes desensitizing agents to minimize this effect.
Q10: How long do whitening results last?
Professional whitening results typically last 1 to 3 years depending on your diet and habits. Touch-up treatments with custom trays from Summerlin Dental Solutions can maintain results indefinitely. Avoiding heavy staining from coffee, wine, and tobacco extends the longevity significantly.
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GET TO KNOW YOUR BEST DENTIST IN SUMMERLIN
Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
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