Facts About Kids and Sports Safety
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is providing tips and information on how to best protect athlete’s smiles during recreational and organized sports.
Injuries can happen at any age or skill level – More than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. *
Collision and contact sports have higher injury rates. Baseball, soccer, basketball and football account for about 80% of all sports-related emergency room visits for children between 5 and 14 years of age.*
Mouth guard use is very low – 67% of parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard – yet, 70% say their biggest fear when their child plays is that they will get hurt.**
One out of every four (27%) parents say their child has sustained an injury during an organized sport resulting in a trip to the emergency room.**
Most coaches and leagues are not advising the use of mouth guards – Of the parents whose children do not wear a mouth guard, 84% say it’s because the league or coach does not require it.**
Hard hits occur no matter what the sport – The average high school baseball pitcher can throw a fast ball between 75-85 miles per hour. This compares to being hit in the mouth by a speeding car.***
Cheerleading is one of the most dangerous sports, accounting for 65% of all injuries in high school girls’ athletics.****
Children with braces need to wear mouth guards – One out of every three (31%) parents say their child has orthodontic treatment or braces while playing an organized sport.*
Lacerations can occur if an orthodontic patient´s mouth is not properly protected.
SmileMaker Orthodontics, Dr. Jay Burton, a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. He takes great pride in helping people achieve a beautiful smile in Hendersonville, Madison, Goodlettsville and East Nashville, TN. You can contact our office at (615) 865-6551 or email us at braces@smilemaker.com.
* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
** American Association of Orthodontists
*** eFastball.com
**** MSNBC.com
Copyright AAO 2010