Celebrate the upcoming National Children’s Dental Health Month with safety tips from AAO and Texas Orthodontics

February is right around the corner, and with it comes National Children’s Dental Health Month sponsored for more than 60+ years by the American Dental Association (ADA) to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

We all know that developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits can help children of all ages maintain a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. But for kids wearing braces, brushing and flossing is not the only thing requiring immediate attention. According to a new survey by the American Association of Orthodontists or AAO, one out of every four parents reported their child has sustained an injury during an organized sport that resulted in a trip to the emergency room. 

Despite these statistics, an astounding 67% of parents have stated that their child does not wear a mouth guard while engaging in a sport activity.  And though mouth guards can be challenging for a child with braces, they are one of the least expensive pieces of protective equipment available and have been shown to prevent series injury when worn. 

This is why Texas Orthodontics believes this is the perfect time to remind our patients to be mindful of their braces and teeth while playing sports and recommends the following few tips to protect again injuries and stay safe on the field this season:

• Wear mouth guards for contact sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse. 

• Wear a helmet. Helmets absorb the energy of an impact and may even reduce the risk of concussion.

• Wear protective eye wear. Eyes are extremely vulnerable. 

We hope that helps and if you have any further questions on how to best protect your braces and teeth during outdoor activities please contact your orthodontic specialists at Texas Orthodontics. We are always glad to help. Stay safe and have fun!