Preventing facial injury
Most facial injuries come from a small number of causes, and the measures that prevent them are unglamorous and effective.
Perspective from Stone Surgical Arts
A surgeon who repairs facial injuries sees the same causes repeatedly. The protective measures are well established and mostly ignored until afterwards.
A thought to keep
A mouthguard and a seatbelt prevent more facial injuries than anything a surgeon does afterwards.
01
Sport
A properly fitted mouthguard protects the teeth and reduces injury to the soft tissues, and helmets or face guards are appropriate in the sports that specify them. A custom-fitted guard is more comfortable and more likely to be worn than a boil-and-bite one.
Wear the protection in training as well as in matches. A significant share of injuries happen when the stakes seemed low enough to skip it.
02
On the road
Seatbelts and correctly fitted child restraints prevent facial injuries as well as more serious ones. Helmets do the same for cyclists and motorcyclists, and a full-face design protects the jaw where an open one does not.
These remain the single largest preventable category.
03
At home
Falls account for many facial injuries, particularly among small children and older adults. Stair gates, secured rugs, adequate lighting, grab rails where appropriate and attention to medication that causes dizziness all reduce the risk.
Reviewing balance and eyesight is a practical measure for older family members, and an easier conversation before an injury than after one.
04
If an injury does happen
Have it assessed, even where the outside looks minor. Damage to bone, teeth, the eye or a nerve is not always visible, and treatment is more straightforward early.
Seek emergency care for loss of consciousness, changes to vision, heavy bleeding, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Adapted from the Stone Surgical Arts archive and updated for clarity. This article offers general information; an individual consultation is needed for treatment advice.
Further reading
AAOMS: facial injury and trauma surgery
