ladies playing field hockey

Keeping Smiles Safe in Birmingham and the Gulf Coast

Your friendly Northcutt Dental team can’t let April come and go without acknowledging National Facial Protection Month. We wanted to remind our star athletes in Cottage Hill, Fairhope, Bay Minette, Semmes, Helena, and Hoover to protect your face and your smile, no matter what sport you suit up to play.  

Having the right athletic facial protection is something you need to consider for most sports – even the ones you think don’t put your teeth in harm’s way. We love seeing you and your smile in our offices throughout greater Birmingham and the Alabama Gulf Coast, but we also want to do our very best to help you avoid costly injuries.

What Kind of Smile Safety Gear Do I Need?

The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) says that 13 to 39% of all dental injuries occur while playing sports and males are two times more likely to incur an injury — the most common being the two front teeth.

It’s so important to choose the right protection to keep your smile and your face safe.

Mouthguards

You probably already know how important mouthguards are for providing added security to your smile – no matter what sport you choose to pursue. Do you have one of these in your equipment bag?

1) Boil-and-bite: Most local retail stores carry these inexpensive mouthguards. You boil the device in water, place it in your mouth, gently bite down, and create a mold or impression around your teeth. Unfortunately, these widely popular mouthguards don’t always create the best fit for your smile. They can be a distraction and cause discomfort when you’re trying to be on top of your game.

2) Custom mouthguards: Endorsed by the American Dental Association (and your Northcutt dentist), a custom mouthguard is going to give you a safer, more comfortable fit due to built-in layers that extremely durable. If you’re interested in extra, trusted teeth protection power, talk to your Northcutt dentist about creating a custom guard for your smile.

Keep Your Whole Face Safe

The full facial guards available on the market today are super sturdy and reliable. They’re very similar to the protection used in football and even hockey where regular, intense impact is almost a guarantee.

The AAOMS estimated that nearly $500 million is spent annually to replace and repair injured or knocked out teeth. So investing in some added protection for your face and your teeth could save you a lot of money and time in your neighborhood Northcutt Dental office. (Remember: Even if your kids are just riding a bike or playing friendly games, they should be wearing a mouthguard.)

We hope you continue to pursue all of your sports dreams and aspirations! If you have any questions about how we can help, please call the dental health professionals at Northcutt. We want to help keep you safe on the field, the court, or the rink.

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