Spring and summer weather mean outdoor sports for millions of kids across the country. If your young athlete plays one or more warm-weather sports, it’s crucial to have the right equipment to prevent serious injuries to the facial area.
Dr. Farole performs maxillofacial and oral surgery to treat sports injuries throughout the year – and as he will readily tell you, prevention is the best medicine. As youth sports grow more and more competitive, the potential for injuries grows, so it’s vital to protect your son or daughter with the best equipment available.
Know the right equipment to prevent facial trauma
Every parent should be familiar with the basic protective gear needed for outdoor sports. This equipment is engineered to prevent facial injuries, which can include damage to the mouth, face and jaw as well as knocked-out teeth and dislocated jaws.
Helmets and mouth guards are absolutely crucial for most sports and many outdoor activities such as horseback riding. Here’s a quick rundown of gear needed for popular outdoor sports.
Football: Helmets with face guards and mouth guards should be worn at all times. Face guards should be made of carbon steel wire so they can’t be bent back.
Baseball: Catchers should always wear a mask and batters should always wear batting helmets, even in the most casual practice situations.
Soccer: Mouth guards are highly recommended for all soccer players. While soccer isn’t thought of as a contact sport, collisions with other players are frequent, and competitive players often “head” the ball, which can cause significant impact.
Lacrosse: Helmets with wire-cage face masks are an absolute must in this popular sport, where balls can easily fly at 60 to 70 mph.
Horseback Riding: Helmets and mouth guards are recommended for riders traveling cross country or performing any tricks while riding.
Call our Bala Cynwyd clinic for immediate care
Should you or your child suffer facial or dental trauma playing sports this season, Dr. Farole is ready to respond. With years and years as one of the Philadelphia area’s foremost oral and maxillofacial surgeons, he has cared for thousands of patients needing urgent trauma surgery in the wake of a sports injury.
Take the Next Step
Want to learn if a urgent trauma surgery is right for you? Schedule a consultation at Dr. Farole’s Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center in Bala Cynwyd, PA by giving us a call at (610) 668-3300 today.
Best wishes to your family for a safe, healthy summer. And remember, we’re here if you need us.
Source
Webmd
