April is the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) National Facial Protection Month. In 2014, the AAO is partnering with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star pitcher Patrick Corbin to spread the word about protecting your face and teeth from harm when playing sports. At Senestraro Family Orthodontics, we want to make sure you and your family realize how important facial protection is as we start the spring sports season. “Patrick Corbin is a great example to all as he constantly wears a mouthguard when playing in the Major Leagues both on the mound and at bat,” reminds Senestraro Family Orthodontics’s Dr. Seth Senestraro.
National Facial Protection Month
April is deemed National Facial Protection Month annually by the the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD), American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and the American Dental Association (ADA), all of whom join together to raise awareness and promote protection. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reports that injuries playing sports make up to 39% of all dental injuries in kids. Often, this is the result of being hit in the face with an object like a ball, puck, or elbow
Corbin Uses His Own Experience To Raise Awareness
Major Leaguer Patrick Corbin, who was an MLB All-Star last year, is helping by participating in radio public service ads that act as reminders to kids and adult athletes to take a moment to think about their facial protection this month. Corbin uses his own experience of wearing a mouthguard to make everyone aware of the importance of solid protection. Corbin related in a PRNewswire release that, “Wearing a mouthguard on the field is just as important as any other protective gear,” and went on to note that, “In baseball, a line drive can come at you when you least expect it, and it’s crucial to be protected at all times.”
It Helps His Pitching
In baseball, the ball can leave the bat at speeds of over 100 mph, so as a pitcher, Corbin is more than aware of the seriousness that a projectile can have if it hits you. Corbin’s diligence in always using a mouth guard in his professional games also assists in aligning his jaw and his center of gravity. Corbin believes that this further helps in alleviating some of the tension in his neck and shoulders which allows him to be a more precise and powerful pitcher.At Senestraro Family Orthodontics. we know that a mouth guard that is properly fitted to your mouth is a vital part of an athlete’s equipment on the field both in games and in practice. A correctly used guard can help protect teeth and gums from injuries like teeth being knocked out or cracked. As loss or damage of a tooth can be a traumatic and expensive proposition, it’s a great idea to protect yourself with a custom-fitted guard. We can help fit you or your children for mouth guards, so please schedule an appointment to come see us today.
