It’s National Facial
Protection month and that means it’s time to schedule an appointment with yourdentist for a custom made mouthguard.
Every April the
American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The
American Association of Orthodontists, the Academy for Sports Dentistry and the
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, collaborate in order
to promote this event. National Facial Protection Month is in place to raise
the public’s awareness and remind athletes, coaches, and parents to play it
safe and protect themselves during both group and individual sporting
activities.
If you follow the Gentle Touch family Dentistry Blog, you will have learned what you can do in case of a
dental emergency. Gentle Touch Family Dentistry also discussed the importance
of a custom-made mouthguard. Mouthguards can help prevent teeth from being
displaced, broken, cracked or knocked out. Mouthguards can also help block
injuries to the tissues and the bones surrounding your teeth. Mouthguards can
also help defend against lower jaw and TMJ injuries.
The American Academyof Pediatric Dentistry explains that nearly 39 percent of all dental injuries
that occur each year in children and teens are caused by a direct hit or blow
to the face because of player to player contact, or because of a hit to the
face with a ball or hockey puck.
The associations have
five tips to share that could help impede head and facial injuries:
1. Wear a mouthguard when
playing any type of sports. Even surfers and skateboarders should invest in a custom-made
mouthguard. Although a bit pricier than stock or boil and bite mouthguards, the
cost is much less when you compare it to a trip to your dentist or the local
hospital.
2. Helmets are essential
as they not only absorb impact energy, but can also prevent head injuries.
3. Protective eyewear is
imperative, as your eyes are very vulnerable to any type of damage, especially
when playing recreational, amateur, or professional sports.
4. Wearing a face shield
on the playing field can help you avoid bruised or scratched skin.
Racquetballs, handballs, basketballs, and baseballs can cause serious damage to
your face regardless of how old you are.
5. The associations
sponsoring National Facial Awareness Month also believe that protective gear
should be mandatory regardless of the sport. Boxers, hockey players, and football
players are all required to wear some type of mouth protector. It has been
proven that mouthguards actually help decrease oral injuries.
