title: Athletic mouth guards prevent orofacial injuries.
abstract: Competitive and recreational athletes are at significant risk of orofacial injury. The use of mouth guards and face shields can substantially reduce that risk. In this article, the author summarizes the known incidence of orofacial trauma and the benefits of using athletic mouth guards and advises college health professionals to advocate mouth guards for athlete-patients who are at risk.
authors.affiliation: Student health service, Montana State University, Bozeman, USA.
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Woodmansey
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009064:Mouth Protectors; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology