Protect Your Fangs

The Nashville Predators and Delta Dental of Tennessee are teaming up for the second consecutive year for the “Protect Your Fangs” campaign, an initiative to encourage youth to use mouth guards to prevent injury and maintain oral health.

The Predators and Delta Dental launched the campaign last week, with Predators defenseman Greg de Vries and forward Scott Nichol on hand to distribute free “boil and bite” mouth guards to more than 70 kids participating in the G.O.A.L! (Get Out And Learn!) program at Cool Springs Ice Center. The Predators will distribute approximately 4,000 mouth guards statewide this year to youth registered for inline and ice hockey programs.

 “Hockey is a physical sport, and with flying pucks and high sticks being a common occurrence, your mouth and teeth are always at risk when out on the ice,” said Predators forward Jordin Tootoo. “These are all reasons why I always protect myself with a mouth guard. I think that any way the Predators and Delta Dental can further emphasize the importance of mouth guards is great for the community and the sport.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, every athlete in the U.S. has a 10 percent chance of injury to the face or mouth during each season and a 45 percent chance throughout his or her career. A mouth guard helps cushion a blow to the face that otherwise might result in chipped or broken teeth, internal damage to a tooth, tooth loss, and, in severe cases, concussion or a broken jaw.

“It’s important that youth develop good habits in sports early on, including the use of mouth guards,” said Dr. Phil Wenk, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee. “This simple device can prevent injury for youth as well as save money for moms and dads by preventing dental or other health emergencies.”