It's spring! Do you know where your mouth guard is?

At Shields Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. It's spring, however, and Dr. Shields knows spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Our dedicated team also knows sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports.

That’s why we're doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask our team—Dr. Shields will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment. In addition, the AAO has provided a few tips for keeping your kids safe on the field this spring. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Shields is trying to achieve. Lastly, please call us if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Shields Orthodontics.