What Can I Do To Protect My Child’s Teeth During Sporting Events?

As a parent, you are used to taking your child to the dentist for regular checkups or when he/she has a toothache. But what every mother and father want to avoid is having to rush to a dentist or emergency room when their child has lost teeth because of an accident, such as frequently occurs when kids play sports.

Every year, approximately 5 million teeth are accidentally knocked out in the United States. Teeth can be avulsed (the technical term) whether a child engages in a solo sports activity such a roller skating, a one-on-one sport such as wresting, or a team sport such as soccer or baseball.

The level of physical contact in some sports immediately raises a red flag for parents, who make sure their child wears a helmet and/or padded guards for their knees and elbows. In fact, such protective devices are typically required by schools and organized sports teams.

But what about your child’s teeth? Your dentist is as concerned about your child’s dental health as you are. That includes taking the necessary steps to ensure that when your child engages in sporting events, his or her teeth and smile are properly protected.

So what can you do? Here are some suggestions:

• Talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard for your child. A properly fitted mouth guard, which covers the top teeth only, can help prevent injury to your child’s teeth, lips, face and tongue. A dentist can help you choose the most appropriate mouth guard or make a custom model for your child.

• Make sure your child does not wear any removable dental appliances while participating in contact sports. Some parents also choose to have their child not wear their retainers while roller skating, skateboarding, or participating in other noncontact sports that carry a significant risk of injury.

• Maintain a healthful diet that promotes strong teeth and gums. That means limiting or eliminating the use of sports and energy beverages, soft drinks, and sugary foods that promote tooth decay. Children who do consume these products should immediately swish their mouth with water and spit it out to help remove any sugars and acids.

• Take your child to the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. It’s always better to catch a potential problem before it can take root.

• Encourage good hygiene at home. Brushing after every meal and snack (or at least swishing out the mouth with water) plus flossing daily are habits that are good for the entire family.

If you have any questions about how to protect your child’s teeth against injury, talk to your dentist. You can be sure to get the answers and solutions you need to help preserve your child’s smile for life.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403