Flower Mound Invisalign Provider Observers NFPM – April is National Facial Protection Month
FLOWER MOUND AND GRAPEVINE, TEXAS – Sunny skies and blooming flowers are on the horizon, which means spring is about to arrive. This is the time of year for athletes to dust off their cleats and get ready for sports season.
April is National Facial Protection Month and one Flower Mound Invisalign provider is taking the time to advise athletes of all ages about the importance of mouth guards during sports.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry sponsor this month-long awareness campaign, which aims to encourage athletes to take the necessary precautions to prevent sports injuries.
“Mouth guards are the most forgotten and improperly used piece of equipment and yet they are easily as important as the helmet,” said Dr. Jonathan Golab, dentistry professional.
Mouth guards are acrylic dental appliances that are worn over the teeth to provide protection for the mouth’s soft tissues (lips, cheeks, tongue, gums) and hard tissues (jaw bones and teeth). Mouth guards can cushion the blow to the face, reducing the risk of broken teeth and other injuries to the mouth. A properly fitting mouth guard will stay in place and allow athletes to speak and breathe properly while wearing it.
There are several types of mouth guards available: stock, boil and bite, and custom-made.
Stock guards can be found in many stores, but they come in limited sizes and are not very protective because they are usually too big for the user.
Boil and bite guards are found at sporting equipment stores, and while they do form to the user’s teeth after boiling it in water and placing it in the mouth, they are bulky and can cause gagging.
Custom-made guards offer the most protection and best fit compared to other guards, as they are made at a dentist’s office. Mouth guards today not only protect athletes from injury, but they also enhance their performance by improving balance and endurance through the increase of oxygen and reduced tension in the jaw.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends guards are worn for all types of contact sports including football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey, softball and soccer.
“Guards only offer protection from injury when they are worn, so it is important for parents to remind their young athletes to wear it, even if they are only practicing,” said Dr. Golab, Flower Mound dental implant provider.
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