This month the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the Academy of Sports Dentistry have joined forces to raise awareness about facial protection.

Here are some tips to help prevent injury and what to do if you have a dental emergency.

• Wear your helmet!  Helmets are of course recommended when you are riding a bike, skateboard or scooter, also while playing baseball, football, hockey or lacrosse.   The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons found that many children who were hospitalized for bicycle related injuries also had brain injuries.    By simply wearing a helmet you can reduce the risk of head injuries by 85% and brain injuries by 88%!
• Wear a mouth guard while playing sports.    Mouth guards can cushion a blow to the face, decreasing the risk of broken teeth or injuries to the soft tissue of the mouth.   There are 3 types of mouth guards:  stock, boil-and-bite and custom-fitted.    Boil- and- bite and custom mouth guards are the most comfortable. You can purchase a boil-and-bite mouth guard at a sporting goods store and fit it at home.   Custom-fitted mouth guards are custom made by a dentist.  They fit snugly, allowing an athlete to run and talk more easily while playing sports. Custom mouth guards are comfortable, affordable and offer excellent protection.   They are available in a wide variety of colors to choose from.
• This April we hope to encourage young athletes to wear a mouth guard by offering a discount on custom-fitted mouth guards.  Call our office to find out more and schedule an appointment.
• If your child has a dental accident, call us right away.   Our number is 860-233-1589.   If it is at night or on the weekend either Dr. Cipes or Dr. Chisholm is always available for you.