Why Mouth Guards?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is encouraging kids to “play it safe” and consistently wear mouth guards and other protective gear during competitions and practices. Football, soccer, baseball, hockey, basketball, and many other youth sports can all be hard hitting, and the members of the AAO want to ensure that orthodontic patients, and their teammates, are properly protected from sports related injuries to the jaw and mouth. Injuries to the mouth and jaw can do a lot of damage and some injuries can include a lifetime of maintenance to repair and maintain. Facial protection is an easy step in preventing trips to the emergency room. Many kids are not wearing mouth guards and facial protection during sporting competitions and practices. Parents, coaches and kids need to understand the prevalence of sports injuries and know that many sports injuries can be reduced or prevented by wearing the proper protective gear. Go to braces.org to find an orthodontist, or ask your den
