Protect Your Athlete's Smile

Defense for Your Young Athlete’s Teeth

Did you know that approximately 40% of all dental injuries in teenagers occur while playing sports? If your children are involved in athletics, you need to learn about prevention and treatment of sports-related dental injuries so you can protect your child’s smile. And while you may think that only heavy contact sports such as hockey put your child at high risk for a sports injury, accidents happen anytime there are fast-moving bodies, balls or hard equipment being swung around.

The best way to handle sports-related dental emergencies is to prevent them from happening in the first place. By having your child wear proper protective gear, you’ll reduce his or her chance of sustaining an injury to the face, jaw or teeth.

• Mouth guards are essential for any contact sport, especially for young athletes playing hockey, football or lacrosse. But even basketball and soccer players can benefit from using mouth guards, which not only protect the teeth but also provide a cushion to protect the jaw’s temporomandibular joint (TMJ) from impact injuries. Mouth guards, which are relatively inexpensive, may also prevent injuries to the lips and gums. We can custom make a perfectly fitting mouth guard for your child, or you can purchase a simple boil-and-mold style mouth guard at a drugstore.
• Helmets are another way to protect your child’s mouth because they protect the entire skull.
• Face cages, often used in hockey, prevent anything from striking the face.

Because the most common dental injuries sustained during sports affect the front teeth, the cheeks and the tongue, they have an impact on more than just the appearance of your child’s smile. Dental injuries can also lead to eating, drinking and speech difficulties. That’s why it’s important to see us immediately after a sports accident, especially in the case of a chipped or knocked-out tooth. The sooner you get medical attention, the more likely the tooth can be salvaged.

Before your child’s next sports season begins, be proactive. Talk to us about the best protective gear for his or her particular sport, and avoid having to make an emergency visit in the future! Give us a call at 509-891-7070!