Pulmonology Student Athletes Should Get Mouth Guard Kids who play all kinds of sports need to wear mouth guards to protect their teeth, says the American Association of Endodontists. Mouth guards prevent an estimated 20,000 oral injuries in the U.S. each year, according to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Most assume that collision sports such as football and ice hockey pose the highest risks for student dental trauma, but data from the Journal of Pediatric Care show that soccer players have the greatest risk of orofacial injuries, at three times the rate of football players, while basketball players have double the risk of football and ice hockey players. "It is imperative that all student athletes be fitted for a custom mouth guard by their family dentist before taking the field," says John S. Olmsted, president of the AAE. "Just as helmets help protect an athlete's head from trauma, mouth guards are essential to protect teeth from serious injury." Copyright 2006 by United Press International. All rights reserved. - Updated: April 29, 2006   Neenah Menasha Health Online, along with all information provided, is for educational purposes only and is not an attempt to replace the need to seek healthcare services or to provide specific healthcare advice. We strongly encourage users to consult with their chiropractor or other qualified healthcare professionals for personal healthcare attention and answers to personal questions. Neenah Menasha Health Online 1366 Appleton Rd Suite A Menasha, WI 54952 www.newcaredoc.com Ronald Fischer, DC, CCSP, CSCS NEWCARE Integrated Health Services, S.C. E-Mail: newcaredoc@aol.com Phone: 920-730-0611 Fax: 920-730-3920 Published by Healthy Practices, Inc.     © 2001-2003 Healthy Practices, Inc. All rights reserved.