In the Midwest, as temperatures outside start to trend up, so does the urge to take advantage of the limited time of year to enjoy physical and outdoor activities.
Experts say athletic events, such as basketball and bike-riding, can come with significant risk of injury if the proper protection isn’t worn.
April is Facial Protection Month and a good time to remember the importance of keeping your face and head safe when engaging in physical and outdoor activities.
“Facial trauma is preventable by being proactive and wearing protective gear like helmets or eye protection,” David Cartier, DMD, Carle Health Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident said.
Carle Health Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is the only OMFS training program in central Illinois. Their team of providers have unique training and focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and other
abnormalities of the face, mouth and jaw.
Patients often are referred to an OMFS provider after an accident. Common cases include fractures of the jaw and lacerations, while other cases may involve a nasal bone fracture or a fracture affecting the bones that make up the eye socket.
“Our facial bones help establish the height and width of our face,” Leticia Cuellar, DMD, Carle Health Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident said. “Fractures of the facial bones can cause our face to shorten or flatten which can drastically alter our appearance.”
“As it warms up outside, many of the lacerations we see are caused by dog bites,” Dr. Cartier added. “It’s important to never leave babies or toddlers alone with dogs and always teach children to be careful around pets.”
Drs. Cuellar and Cartier say both the symptoms and recovery process for a facial injury can be lengthy and cumbersome if not cared for properly.
“Patients might come in with chronic fractures that happened months prior, which can cause the bones to heal in the incorrect spot,” Dr. Cartier said. “This can lead to difficulty eating and changes to facial symmetry.”
A mandible fracture or jaw injury can oftentimes require intermaxillary fixation (IMF), or jaw wiring, which can take 6-8 weeks and make it extremely difficult to speak.
Both experts say facial protection – such as helmets, mouthguards, eye protection and more – can play a pivotal role in preventing or reducing a facial injury.
“Wear your helmet. Wear your seatbelt,” Dr. Cuellar said. “Even if you’re just riding a scooter in your front yard – we’ve seen many instances where a young patient fractured their jaw because they were going too fast without the right protection on and hit a bump.”
“No one is safe from facial injuries,” Dr. Cartier added. “We are here to help manage all injuries and support the patient through their care journey but so much of it is preventable with the right precautions.”
For more information on facial protection and OMFS services offered at Carle Health, visit Carle.org.
Experts say athletic events, such as basketball and bike-riding, can come with significant risk of injury if the proper protection isn’t worn.
April is Facial Protection Month and a good time to remember the importance of keeping your face and head safe when engaging in physical and outdoor activities.
“Facial trauma is preventable by being proactive and wearing protective gear like helmets or eye protection,” David Cartier, DMD, Carle Health Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident said.
Carle Health Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is the only OMFS training program in central Illinois. Their team of providers have unique training and focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries and other
abnormalities of the face, mouth and jaw.Patients often are referred to an OMFS provider after an accident. Common cases include fractures of the jaw and lacerations, while other cases may involve a nasal bone fracture or a fracture affecting the bones that make up the eye socket.
“Our facial bones help establish the height and width of our face,” Leticia Cuellar, DMD, Carle Health Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident said. “Fractures of the facial bones can cause our face to shorten or flatten which can drastically alter our appearance.”
“As it warms up outside, many of the lacerations we see are caused by dog bites,” Dr. Cartier added. “It’s important to never leave babies or toddlers alone with dogs and always teach children to be careful around pets.”
Drs. Cuellar and Cartier say both the symptoms and recovery process for a facial injury can be lengthy and cumbersome if not cared for properly.
“Patients might come in with chronic fractures that happened months prior, which can cause the bones to heal in the incorrect spot,” Dr. Cartier said. “This can lead to difficulty eating and changes to facial symmetry.”
A mandible fracture or jaw injury can oftentimes require intermaxillary fixation (IMF), or jaw wiring, which can take 6-8 weeks and make it extremely difficult to speak.
Both experts say facial protection – such as helmets, mouthguards, eye protection and more – can play a pivotal role in preventing or reducing a facial injury.“Wear your helmet. Wear your seatbelt,” Dr. Cuellar said. “Even if you’re just riding a scooter in your front yard – we’ve seen many instances where a young patient fractured their jaw because they were going too fast without the right protection on and hit a bump.”
“No one is safe from facial injuries,” Dr. Cartier added. “We are here to help manage all injuries and support the patient through their care journey but so much of it is preventable with the right precautions.”
For more information on facial protection and OMFS services offered at Carle Health, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Staying Healthy
Tags: and, facial, helmet, mask, Maxillofacial, mouthguard, omfs, Oral, protection, Surgery