Associates of Dental Arts Announces Annual Mouth Guard Charity Event

JOPLIN, Mo. - June 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Joplin, MO— 06/01/2014 — Today, Associates of Dental Arts announced availability for parents and student athletes to purchase a custom fit mouth guard with school logo for maximum comfort, style, and protection. To help the communities affected by the recent tornadoes, all proceeds will go to help the Baxter Springs and Quapaw high schools athletics departments.

“This is a great value, for a great cause,” said Erik Rose, Marketing Director at Associates of Dental Arts.

Dr. Kivett of Associates of Dental Arts states “It’s a great chance to expose kids and get them excited about dentistry.”

Why Custom Fit Mouth Guards?

Mouth guards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. Knowing how to prevent injuries like these is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities.

It has been estimated that wearing a mouth guard will reduce concussions by 50%. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation forecasted that more than three million teeth would be knocked out in youth sporting events alone. Athletes who don’t wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth!

“It’s like a cushion that holds your jaw together and distributes the force” says Dr. Kivett of Associates of Dental Arts, “without it a hit will slam your jaw and teeth together causing your brain to rattle around and give you a concussion.”

The American Dental Association states, “Surveillance studies of mouth guard users and nonusers have consistently shown that mouth guards offer significant protection against sports-related injuries to the teeth and soft tissues. Mouth guards provide a resilient, protective surface to distribute and dissipate forces on impact, thereby minimizing the severity of traumatic injury to the hard or soft tissues.”

There are three types of mouth guards from which to choose:

Stock (Ready-made) – Most sports stores carry these, and they are the least expensive. They are available in various sizes and shapes, but cannot be adjusted to fit your mouth. Often, they are loose and bulky and may interfere with speaking or breathing. These are the least desirable.
Mouth-formed (“Boil & Bite”) – These are available in most sports stores and are relatively inexpensive. The plastic mouth guard shell is boiled in water for 10-45 seconds, cooled under tap water and molded and adapted directly in the mouth. Compared to custom-made guards, the fit is not as accurate, and it may not last as long.
Custom-made – This type is highly recommended and the most effective. These mouth guards are made from a cast of your teeth. While they are a more expensive than the store-bought variety, they provide the greatest protection and comfort.

The American Dental Association recommends mouth guards for: acrobats, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, martial arts, racquetball, roller hockey, rugby, shot putting, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weightlifting, and wrestling. Other experts include baseball and softball infielders.

Event Details

For a donation of $15 (over $300 value), any student athlete or parent involved in sports or other physical activities, will receive a custom fit mouth guard with their school logo.

There is no appointment required but minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Associates of Dental Arts welcomes those wanting to donate and receive their custom fit mouth guards on June 9-11 between the hours of 4:30pm-6:30pm.

All proceeds will be donated to the Baxter Springs and Quapaw high schools athletics departments.

Make Sure Your Smile is Protected!!