The damage caused by a ball, knee, or elbow to the face can be devastating for a child – often resulting in serious injury and a lifetime of oral health issues. In fact, sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits in 12- to 17- year-olds according to the Centers for Disease Control. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is currently running a campaign to help make “Play It Safe” a mantra of youth sports.
According to the AAO, children are at risk on the playing field while many coaches and parents stand by on sidelines. In a recent survey, the AAO discovered that 76 percent of parents said their biggest fear is that their child will get hurt while playing organized sports, yet only 33 percent reported that their children wear mouth guards during organized sports including football, basketball, soccer and lacrosse.
Mouthguards are one of the least expensive pieces of protective equipment available. Over-the-counter versions may cost as little as five dollars, although custom-fit mouth guards offer greater protection. The “boil-and-bite” type of mouthguard won’t work if you are wearing braces, but other options are available that you can get from your orthodontist, local sporting goods store, or online retailer.
Not only do mouth guards save teeth, they may protect the jaws, lips/cheeks, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Regardless of what your sport is, play it safe and wear one!
