Five dental organizations are working together during National Facial Protection Month in April to educate parents, caregivers, and coaches about how to prevent head and facial injuries while playing sports.
The organizations are the American Dental Association, the Academy for Sports Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Association of Orthodontists.
They recommend that athletes in all sports wear mouthguards and say that doing so is more cost-effective than repairing an injury. Helmets also are advised. Mouth protection should be fitted, light, strong, easy to clean, and the correct size so that it covers gums and teeth, according to the organizations.
They note that athletes undergoing orthodontic treatment should ask their orthodontist about the best type of mouthguard to use.
