You wear your seatbelt. You exercise four times a week. You eat nutritious foods. Why? Because you know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to your health. And, to prevent immediate injury and serious long-term medical conditions, mouthguards are an essential piece of protecting your smile and your overall health. In this article, Parker Dental & Orthodontics, your dentist in West Mobile, explains National Facial Protection Month and why these dental devices are a key part of your well-being, especially if you’re an athlete or involved in contact sports.
What Is National Facial Protection Month?
April is National Facial Protection Month. This campaign is sponsored by the Academy for Sports Dentistry and the American Dental Association (ADA), among other professional organizations. These associations encourage children and adults to enjoy sports and athletic activities while exercising common sense and using dental appliances to prevent tooth loss, mouth injuries, and even concussions. At Parker Dental & Orthodontics, we custom make these protective dental devices, and even work with UnderArmor because our quality is to top-notch.
How Can Mouthguards Protect Me?
Since the National Institute of Health reports that almost 40% of dental injuries are sports-related, and athletes have at least a 10% chance of sustaining an injury to the mouth during any season of play, it’s crucial to use a mouthguard to prevent dental accidents from happening. From tooth loss to broken teeth to concussions, this protective mouth gear is customized to your bite to ensure a perfect fit while keeping your smile safe. Mouthguards protect your teeth from chips, cracks, and even being knocked out – and, they absorb the shock from contact to the face and mouth, lessening the occurrence of concussions.
What Are The Long Term Effects Of Dental Injuries From Sports?
Mouthguards are not only important in preventing chipped, broken, and missing teeth, as well as cuts in the mouth, they can also reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries for athletes. Since they’re custom-fitted to you, they work to reduce the occurrence of concussions by effectively absorbing shock to the mouth. And, avoiding concussions makes you less susceptible to developing CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) that occurs after repeated head injuries. CTE can cause memory loss, aggression, and other symptoms of dementia – all things athletes and their families want to steer clear of.
Do I Need A Mouthguard?
Dr. Hube Parker, Dr. Lee Redditt, and Dr. Erin Reardon recommend that patients like those in the list below talk with their dentist about mouthguards:
- Kids
- Athletes and those involved in contact sports
- Bicyclists
Now that you know what National Facial Protection Month is and how mouthguards can protect your teeth and your overall health, schedule your appointment with Parker Dental & Orthodontics today to keep your smile safe!