Dr. Andrew Orchin, reminding you to wear your mouth guards

With the hot and sultry Dog Days summer here for another four weeks, our staff at Orchin Orthodontics would like to take this time to remind all our young athletes wearing braces to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this fall. After all, we know this is a busy time of year sports-wise, whether kids are playing soccer in the park or practicing for high school football.

Remember, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. All you have to do? Ask us. Dr. Orchin will provide one for you (at no additional charge). It is important that you do not use one of the fitted “boil at home” mouth guards while you are in orthodontic treatment. We are working hard to move your teeth, which means that any fitted mouth guard will work against us and slow down or halt your orthodontic progress.

Happy Wednesday and don't forget about our "Lost Retainer" contest! We are looking for the funniest/most unusual story about how your retainer was lost, and will award the person who gets the most votes "likes" on our Facebook page with a $50 Visa gift card!

Mouth guards and sports injuries, with Orchin Orthodontics

At Orchin Orthodontics we know how important it is to protect your face while playing sports. Spring is around the corner, and the spring months bring an increase in outdoor activities and a greater chance of damaging your precious mouth and pearly whites. Dr. Andrew and our team also know sports-related injuries are common among children. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 70 percent of parents said their biggest worry is that their child will get hurt while playing sports.

That’s why Orchin Orthodontics is doing our part to spread the word that facial sports injuries can be avoided simply by reminding your kids to wear mouth guards. Ask us—Dr. Andrew will provide a mouth guard for any patient in active treatment at no additional charge. In addition, the AAO has provided the following tips for keeping your kids safe on the field. Please remind them to:

• Wear mouth guards during contact sports
• Wear a helmet
• Stretch before and after a game or practice
• Wear protective eye wear
• Wear a face shield to avoid scratched or bruised skin
• Be observant—even as a spectator

All of these can reduce injuries. Only by using a mouth guard and other forms of facial protection can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. Be sure to avoid mouth guards that custom form to your teeth as these will resist any tooth movements Dr. Andrew is trying to achieve. Lastly, please give us a call if you have any questions about mouth guards or your treatment at Orchin Orthodontics.