Protecting Your Child’s Teeth With Headgear

Helmets work wonders in preventing injuries on the court, field, or on a bike ride around the neighborhood. Not only do helmets shield your child’s head, but a helmet with a faceguard serves for extra protection even in the roughest of sports. If you have a kid into hockey, a face shield is important to have to help prevent damage to the bones around your child’s eyes, nose, and jaw.

Mouthguards Keep Your Athlete’s Smile Safe

Mouthguards aren’t just for football! If your kids take part in soccer or swimming, you may need to invest in a mouthguard for your children. Though participating in sports such as swimming or soccer may need to wear other forms of facial protection, such as mouth guards. Though some sports may not require a mouthguard, it’s better safe than sorry! Some sports are more prone to accidents and injuries and it’s important to take the right steps to prevent injuries.

Did you know that a child is 60 times more likely to suffer a sports injury without a mouthguard? Yet, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 67% of parents admitted that their children do not wear a mouthguard during organized sports. The NYSSF estimated that over 3 million teeth would be knocked out in youth sport events.

Mouthguards are an affordable and effective piece of protective equipment that will prevent your child from losing or chipping a tooth. They can be found at sport stores and parents should always look for mouthguards that are approved by the American Dental Association (ADA)! During your next dental appointment with us, ask our pediatric dentists which mouthguard they recommend! Investing in the right mouthguard can save you a pretty penny on the alternative- a replacement tooth. Beyond taking these steps to protect your child, encouraging your children to play safe during sports and follow the rules will help them avoid any risky behavior that could cause them injury.

What To Do If Your Child’s Tooth Is Knocked Out

If your child’s tooth is knocked out, keep calm. It’s important to not hold the tooth by the root, but grasp it by the crown and rinse it off. You then can attempt to reinsert the tooth and hold it in place until your child goes in for their emergency appointment. If you’re unable to reinsert the tooth, place the tooth in a glass of milk to preserve it and keep it moist. Control the bleeding in your child’s mouth by using light pressure with a cold compress. Call to make an emergency appointment with the dentist immediately following the incident.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our pediatric dental experts. Schedule your child’s appointment by calling (833) KIDS-DFC.