The month of April is known as National Facial Protection Month in order to raise awareness about the importance of protecting oneself from dental and facial related injuries resulting from outdoor activities.
Spring time often brings about an influx of patients suffering from head, mouth, and facial injuries resulting directly from sports-related accidents. Many of these injuries could have been easily prevented with the use of helmets, mouth guards, and various other sports safety equipment. There are an estimated 12 million people between the ages of 5 & 22 years old who suffer a sports-related injury annually, which results in 20 million lost days of school and up to $33 billion in healthcare costs, according to Safe Kids Worldwide Analysis of Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data.
National Facial Protection Month is sponsored by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Academy for Sports Dentistry, the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the American Dental Association. Together, these associations have teamed up to raise awareness of sports-related injuries and encourage individuals to take necessary precautions during the sports season.
Here are a few tips from our Northern Virginia area oral surgeon to enjoying the season, while staying safe:
- Always wear a mouth guard.
- When necessary, wear a helmet.
- Protect your eyes with appropriate, protective eyewear.
- Face shields can save you from severe facial damage when playing hockey, football, etc.
- Show your support for mandatory protective gear!
For more information on the prevention and treatment of mouth and facial injuries, or for a consultation for a sports-related injury, contact us.
