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Apr 2, 2008 9:06 pm US/Eastern
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Doctors: Protective Gear Important In Kids' Sports
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(KDKA)
It can only take a matter of seconds for a child to suffer a sports injury to the face or mouth, so local doctors are stressing the importance of protective gear.
For children five to 14, experts say more than 80 percent of visits to the ER are because of sports injuries to the face and mouth.
A survey by the American Association of Orthodontists shows that two out of three parents say their child does not wear a mouth guard.
"Football, it was 42 percent that wore a mouth guard," said orthodontist Dr. John Buzzatto, "ice hockey, only 32 percent, those are the things that really surprise me."
Experts say a good mouth guard will be comfortable and thick enough to protect the teeth. Some can be custom fitted, and some need to be a little looser to allow for braces. Teeth that stick out are at greater risk for injury.
Doctors say mouth guards should be worn for all contact sports, football, hockey, soccer, wrestling, basketball as well as softball and baseball.
Mouth guards can help prevent jaw, mouth, and teeth injuries, and they don't cost as much as repairing the injury.
Also, sports can put kids at risk for facial injuries as well, so doctors say face masks and protective eye wear are important, too.
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