April is National Facial Protection Month. All organized sports athletes and recreational sports players should wear mouthguards to help protect their teeth and beautiful smiles!
Did You Know?
- Athletes are 60 times more likely to get a dental injury if they don’t wear facial protection.
- More than 5 million teeth are broken or knocked out every year.
- Research shows 13 percent to 39 percent of all dental injuries are sports-related.
- Many injuries can be prevented or made far less severe by wearing a mouth guard.
- It’s important to wear a comfortable, well-fitting mouthguard that resists tearing, is easy to clean and doesn’t restrict your breathing.
- Mouthguards should be part of every athlete’s standard equipment.
Mouthguards
· There are three types of mouthguards:
- Custom-made by your dentist (best one).
- Boil-and-bite.
- Commercial mouthguards.
Taking Care of Your Mouthguard
- Take proper care of your mouthguard so it’s ready when needed and will last a long time.
- Brush the guard with a toothbrush and toothpaste before and after each use.
- Clean it regularly in cool, soapy water and rinse it well.
- Store and transport your mouthguard in a sturdy container.
- Don’t chew on the mouthguard and don’t wear a removable retainer with it.
- Be sure to replace it when it shows signs of wear and tear.
Helmets and Face Shields
- It’s also important to use protective equipment like helmets and face shields.
- Helmets absorb a lot of the energy from an impact and help prevent damage to your head.
- Face shields help protect your eyes from flying objects like hockey pucks and racquetballs.
So remember to play it safe and enjoy all of your favorite sports this summer!