Spring is the time of year when many of us become more physically active and are excited to resume outdoor activities. Skateboarding and rollerblading along with baseball, basketball, volleyball, tennis and other sports, once again become part of our active lifestyles. National Facial Protection Month is founded just by the American Association of Oral and Maxiofacial Surgeons (AAMOS), which encourages awareness on facial protection each April due to increased physical exercise during springtime. Diligent in educating our patients as they begin orthodontic treatment, National Facial Protection Month this month also brings our SmilesForever Orthodontics doctors and staff, the opportunity to remind our patients of the importance in wearing mouthguards during physical recreation in order to protect your face, teeth, and soft tissue.
Protect Your Mouth and Smile
Whether involved in recreational or team sports, children and adults alike spend a lot of time and money gearing up for an active lifestyle, but one important piece of equipment—a mouthguard—is often overlooked.
Mouthguards are often associated with extreme contact sports such as hockey, football and lacrosse. However, an accidental fall or physical blow to your jaw or mouth can cause serious damage to your smile and they are equally as important during outdoor activities. Without a mouthguard, you risk damage to your lips, gums, face, jaw or tongue. Without one, it’s also very easy to chip or even dislodge a tooth! Proper orthodontic care means taking the necessary safety measures in finding a mouthguard to protect your mouths and smiles from avoidable injuries, which Dr. Brad Gilbert and Dr. Adam Wells, both professional members of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), take very seriously.
In fact, it’s such an important issue the AAO has joined the American American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Academy for Sports Dentistry as a National Facial Protection Month sponsor.
So Many Options!
Mouthguards protect your upper and lower teeth, tongue and gums by acting as a cushion for your face during accidental impact. There are quite a few varieties of mouthguards available including: orthodontist-recommended mouthguards, custom-made mouthguards, mouth-formed boil-and-bite mouthguards, ready-made stock or store-bought mouthguards and with-straps mouthguards.
How To Choose?
While in orthodontic treatment finding the right mouthguard that is comfortable, fits over your orthodontic appliances and braces and does not prevent treatment progress is an important safety decision. It’s also extremely important that you do not boil and mold your mouthguard to fit, as your teeth still need to move into position. A professionally recommended and fitted mouthguard, especially while in braces, is essential. Should you require one, Dr. Wells and Dr. Gilbert recommend a specific orthodontic mouthguard for our patients. Our orthodontists and team will aid in protecting your smile by making sure your new mouthguard fits properly in relation to your orthodontic appliance.
What Can You Do?
Celebrate National Facial Protection Month by taking the necessary precautions to avoid sports injuries. Please contact SmilesForever Orthodontics on orthodontic care and if you need assistance in purchasing a proper orthodontic mouthguard. We’re available and look forward to helping you at any of our four practice locations in Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch and Loganville, GA.
SMILE and enjoy a healthy and safe Spring season!
To learn more about National Facial Protection Month, visit AAOMS.org/SaveFace.
