Sports seasons' approach means it's time for dental safety

  • Published
  • By Airman Christopher R. Morales
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  In any contact sport, there can be a fall, collision or bad impact, and bracing oneself might not save those pearly whites.

Wearing a mouth guard lowers the risk of permanent damage.

"Mouth guards are useful because they disperse the force equally, causing less damage to one area alone," said Tech. Sgt. Catherine Ramiso, 673d Dental Squadron registered dental hygienist. "Active-duty members can always walk in and request one."

"A fitted mouth guard is superior to a standard mouth guard, a one-size fits all, because it contours to the individual's mouth for maximum efficiency," Ramiso said.
Every year, near sports season, the 673d Dental Clinic extends its outreach to Reservists, Guardsmen and dependants.

The clinic does this with the help of the University of Anchorage Alaska's 'externship' program, providing dental hygienists-in-training with valuable experience.

The students take impressions of the upper row of teeth and have the molds approved by a dental hygienist.

Molds then go to the laboratory with the customer's chosen color for fabrication.

Custom-fit mouth guards are available to people of all ages who participate in contact sports.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Jamie Martinez, 176th Logistics Readiness Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the aircraft parts store customer service, brought her sons Philip, 13, and Emanuel, 11, to get mouth guards.

"My kids need them for football and, to be honest, mouth guards are kind of expensive," Martinez said.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Barksdale, 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, was the first customer at this year's event and said this is his second year getting a custom-fitted mouth guard.

"This time, the process was quick, painless and awesome," Barksdale said.

Due to the procedure involving a tray of mold-making substance, some may find it uncomfortable.

Once the impression is brought to the laboratory, the dental lab technicians fill it with a malleable substance that hardens over time for a mold of the teeth.

After trimming the mold to make sure the sides and bottom are smooth, the chosen color of plastic is heated and placed on the mold for a perfect fit.

Once the guard is cut to size and the sides are smoothed and cleaned, the mouth guard is ready for use.

Due to the number of impressions made and the lengthy process to make the mouth guards, customers are asked to pick them up the next day to keep space clear for others.

"It's fun to give back to everybody and do something to support everyone on base," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Alex Mathew Bickett, 673d Dental Squadron dental lab technician.

A mouth guard is like a helmet for the teeth; it diffuses some of the trauma of any facial injuries, and it also protects the teeth from flying out or being swallowed.

According to mouthhealthy.org, do not leave a mouth guard exposed to heat, like hot water or the sun, because it could cause distortion.

Brush the guard with toothpaste and, to make it last longer, store the guard in a perforated container.

For more information, visit or call the Dental Clinic at 580-5010.