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Take 5 with Lewy's Legion - Dr. James F. Helmkamp

February 22, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


Have you ever heard, "There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all " Dr. James Helmkamp of Mount Auburn Dental knows hockey smiles - everything from a shoot-out win grin to a gap toothed grimace - and the volumes they speak about the game and the athletes. Maineiacs Team Dentist for the past five years (a connection that was indirectly made through former trainer Tom Bourdon), Dr. Jim says the Maineiacs are a great group of guys, they deserve the support of this community, and they're "a blast to watch and work with."

And work with them he does! Recently in Lewiston, visiting Halifax player Marty Frk took a deflected puck to the mouth (watch the available postgame conversation here http://www.youtube.com/watch v=z_aVaH48XgY) and had extensive tooth damage. "This is the life of a hockey player," says Dr. Jim, and a puck, stick, elbow, or fist to the mouth is something he's seen many times over with Maineiacs players. Most care Dr. Jim provides to Maineiacs players is emergent, although the full extent of some injuries might not be evident until many months later. The focus has shifted away from routine dentistry, except for those players who may not have had regular exams at home, but mouthguards are custom made for players as needed.

As Dr. Cain and Brian Morrison reported to you in their interviews, concussion prevention is a major goal in professional hockey. Dr. Jim agrees, advocating mouthguard use to prevent or minimize concussions in addition to protecting teeth. For Frk, who was wearing his mouthguard, "Let's face it. A 100 mph puck is going to do some damage even with a mouthguard," reflects Dr. Jim. "The damage looked rather extensive, so he'll possibly need root canals and cosmetic fillings, and then when he is older, two permanent, all porcelain crowns." Dr. Jim says players do pretty well when they lose teeth, and while prevention is key, breaking a few teeth is fairly typical of the road to the NHL. Players' moms on the other hand are usually quite upset about their sons' damaged teeth!

Now for some quick teaching from Dr. Jim:

1. When a tooth gets hit, it gets bruised. Hopefully no permanent damage is done, but sometimes (and this can be right after the injury or many months out) the bruise never heals, and the tooth abscesses. This causes the tooth to "die," and the fix is a root canal.

2. When a tooth gets chipped, the bruising still occurs, and when the break affects the pulp (central nerves and vessels), then a root canal is definitely needed. Once the pulp is cleaned out, the fix is a filling (aka "bonding") or a crown depending on the size and location of the break. Since risk of re-injury is high in hockey, fillings are usually done as a temporary fix, and long term crown and bridge work are done later.

3. If a tooth gets completely knocked out, gently rinse it with milk or water, place it in the side of the mouth between the teeth and cheek or in milk, and call the dentist asap! A tooth can be put back into the socket within 2 hours of injury. After that the solution is an implant crown, fixed bridge, or removable partial denture ("false teeth"). At the Maineiacs players' ages, the removable partial denture is probably the best choice, because they have a good chance of experiencing further trauma.

The Maineiacs are in good hands with Dr. Helmkamp. He holds a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is a prestigious award achieved by less than 1% of dentists. Dr. Jim continues with post-doctorate education to stay current in dentistry, and because he is proud to provide exceptional care in a small, personalized setting. He also enjoys outdoor activities (golf, alpine & cross-country skiing), spending time with his wife, and keeping track of his daughter's ski races! Many thanks to Dr. Helmkamp for this interview, for the work he does with Maineiacs players, and for supporting our guys on the ice!

-Sarah Alto

SEASON TICKET HOLDER REMINDERS

Season ticket holders, don't forget that the February 23rd deadline to purchase playoff packages exclusively is approaching quickly. Don't miss the excitement of the QMJHL Playoffs in Lewiston!

Also, the annual season ticket holder skate with the team will be taking place on Sunday February 27th, following the MAINEiacs' home game against the Drummondville Voltigeurs!

NEXT LEWY'S LEGION MEETING

Lewy's Legion will have an organizational session this Thursday at 6:00 pm in the boardroom next to the MAINEiacs office. All are welcome at attend!

MAINEiacs FAN BUS NEWS

The MAINEiacs will be offering a fan bus for the last Maritime swing of the season on March 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

Lewiston will play one game in Halifax on the 3rd, followed by a pair games at PEI on the 4th and 5th.

Round trip charter for the trip leaves Lewiston at 3:00 AM on Thursday March 3rd, and returns after the game on Saturday March 5th.

Cost is $299 per person based on double occupancy.

Cost includes tickets for 3 games, 2 nights accommodations, and transportation.

To take advantange of this great opportunity, please sign up at the Fan Service Table under Section 7, or call the MAINEiacs Office at 333-FANS.

Seats are selling quickly - reserve yours now!

(A minimum of 48 people will be required.)

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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