Take 5 for National Facial Protection Month

April is National Facial Protection Month

Did you know that an estimated 20 million days of school are lost each year due to sports injuries?

According to the Academy of Sports Dentistry, an estimated 12 million people ages 5 to 22 suffer a sport-related injury annually which leads to 20 million lost days of school, and approximately $33 billion in healthcare costs.

How can we go about preventing a lot of those injuries?

By wearing a mouth guard!

But don’t take our word for it, listen to Dr. Paul Nativi, DMD, FASD, and past president of the Academy for Sports Dentistry.

“A properly fitted mouth guard is an essential piece of any athlete’s protective equipment.”

“Talk with your dentist about what kinds of activities your family enjoys and ask about ways to make sure their teeth and face stay protected.”

Take 5 for National Facial Protection Month

National Facial Protection Month is sponsored by the Academy for Sports Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Association of Orthodontists.

Their collective aim is to encourage children and adults to enjoy the pleasures of the season by using common sense and taking the necessary precautions to prevent sports injuries.

5 Ways To Save Your Smile While Playing Sports

Take these five safety tips into consideration this season:

Mouth Guards are a Must: Mouth guards are significantly less expensive than the cost to repair an injury, and dentists and dental specialists can make customized mouth guards that hold teeth in place and allow for normal speech and breathing.
Helmets are always Helpful: Helmets absorb the energy of an impact and help prevent damage to the head.
Have 20/20 Vision with Protective Eyewear: Eyes are extremely vulnerable to damage, especially when playing sports.
Face Shields Save Skin…and more: Hockey pucks, footballs and racquetballs can cause severe facial damage at any age.
Cheer and Shout Out Your Support for Mandatory Protective Gear: Athletes who participate in football, hockey and boxing are required to wear mouth guards.

If mouth guards have been proven to significantly decrease the risk of oral injuries, why is it not mandatory in every sport for kids to wear them?

The only way a mouth guard can protect your smile is to actually wear it!

Educate your athletes about the importance of protecting their smile, for the Spring sports season and all year round.