April Is National Facial Protection Month

Library Park Dental participates in National Facial Protection Month, which is sponsored by the Academy for Sports Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Association of Orthodontists. Together we encourage children and adults to enjoy all the pleasures of spring by using common sense and taking necessary precautions to prevent sports injuries.

Why Use Mouth Guards?

Research indicates that about 2 percent of all children or adolescents who participate in sports eventually will suffer a facial injury severe enough to require medical attention. This may be a broken tooth or a broken bone. Facial protection can help to prevent injury.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Policy on Prevention of Sports-related Orofacial Injuries, sports accidents reportedly account for 10-39% of all dental injuries in children and are most often caused by direct hits with a hard object (such as a puck or ball) and by player-to-player contact.

Dr. Chiappetta and Dr. Haugstad want to encourage all athletes (even the weekend or more casual adult athletes!) to wear proper protection in order to prevent injury. For more information, talk to your dentist today.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Maxillofacial_Trauma.aspx​

Newsome P, Tran D, Cooke M. The role of the mouth-guard in the prevention of sports-related dental injuries: A review. Int J Paediatr Dent 2001;11(6):396-404

http://www.ada.org/en/press-room/news-releases/2014-archive/april/april-