Health Leader, What You Should Know About Mouth Guards

What is a mouth guard?

A mouth guard is a flexible appliance made out of plastic
Worn in athletic and recreational activities to protect teeth from trauma

Why should I wear a mouth guard?

Protects your mouth from injuries
Dentists advocate the use of mouth guards in a variety of sports activities
More than 200,000 injuries to the mouth and jaw occur each year

Do mouth guards prevent injuries?

A mouth guard can prevent serious injuries such as concussions, cerebral hemorrhages, unconsciousness, jaw fractures and neck injuries by avoiding situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw
Mouth guards are effective in moving soft issue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, which prevents laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances

In what sports should I wear a mouth guard?

If there is a strong chance for contact with other participants or surfaces
Currently, five sports at the amateur level require mouth guards during practice and competition: boxing, football, ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's field hockey

Why don't kids wear mouth guards?

Parents are sometimes uninformed about the level of contact and potential for serious dental injuries involved with sports in which the child participates
Some, though not all schools, reinforce the health advantage of mouth guards for their contact sports
Cost may be another consideration, although mouth guards come in a variety of prices

How should I care for a mouth guard?

Clean your mouth guard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water
Before storing, soak your mouth guard in mouthwash
Keep your mouth guard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use
Make sure the box has several holes so the mouth guard will dry
Heat is bad for mouth guards, so don't leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile
Don't bend your mouth guard when storing
Don't handle or wear someone else's mouth guard

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Packing Bag Lunches Safely

If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.

Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:

Pack foods that are nonperishable and won't require refrigeration.
If you do pack perishable foods such as luncheon meats or prepackaged cheese and crackers, include a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice carton with the food in an insulated lunch bag or box.
Pack only the amount of perishable food that your child can eat at lunch.
Preparing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator until you pack your child's lunchbox in the morning can help keep food cold longer the next day.
Don't reuse packaging materials such as paper or plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. as they can contaminate other foods and cause foodborne illness. Have your child discard all used food packaging and paper bags after lunch.

Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.