LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – April is National Facial Protection Month, and Dr. David Aplan, a Larchmont braces provider, wants you to know about the importance of mouth guards for athletes of every age.
When playing any sport with potential for facial injury, Dr. Alpan and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend the use of a mouth guard and other protective gear. This recommendation goes for any and all contact sports, including football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, volleyball, hockey, softball, in-line skating and soccer.
“Don’t wait until you get a hockey puck, ball or elbow to the face. Prevent, prevent, prevent. Facial injuries can cause long term oral health issues, particularly in children because their facial development isn’t complete yet,” says Dr. Alpan, a Larchmont, NV orthodontist.
Using a mouth guard and other types of facial protection is the only way athletes avoid serious injury. We recommend our patients evaluate mouth guards for five factors: retention, comfort, ease of speaking and breathing, tear resistance and protection provided.
Because of advancements in technology and design, mouth guards offer better protection and more comfort than ever before. Inexpensive “boil and bite” mouth guards are available at most sports equipment stores, but you cannot use that protector with braces. For a more versatile and comfortable mouth guard, you can have Dr. Alpan’s Larchmont orthodontics practice create a custom-fabricated mouth guard that can be used during orthodontic treatment and beyond.
“One aspect of my job is to create healthy, attractive smiles for my patients. Another aspect is educating them on how to maintain that smile and prevent injury,” says Larchmont, NV invisible braces provider Dr. Alpan.