April is National Facial Protection Month. Maybe we should all walk around wearing our helmets…just kidding!

But, I think we should talk about the importance of wearing protective gear when we, or our children, play sports. Don’t get me wrong, organized sports are a great way to make friends and get some exercise. It’s healthy, and I recommend it!

But, accidents happen all the time. And mouth or facial injuries can be nasty, not to mention expensive.

A Quick Look at the Numbers

According to a recent study,

67 percent of parents admitted that their children do not wear a mouth guard during organized sports. The AAO survey found that 84 percent of children do not wear mouth guards while playing organized sports because they are not required to wear them, even though they may be required to wear other protective materials, such as helmets and shoulder pads.

As a parent, I see the value of protective gear such as shoulder pads, helmets, and shin guards, but it does get expensive. Unless you think about it this way: How much does a trip to the emergency room cost these days?

Mouth guards are a simple and inexpensive way to protect your child’s face and mouth. A lot of sports-related injuries are preventable with the proper gear.

Mouth Guards Are a Must!

Facial protection is not just an April issue. When it comes to our children, mouth guards should be replaced every year, as their jaws are growing and changing.

For more information on mouth guards, read this blog post!

Stay safe out there!
~Dr. Marea White