As a California parent, you want your kid to be fit and active. One way to help your kid reach those goals is to play sports with them. They can also learn how to be a good sport and work with others.
Unfortunately, kids who play sports are more likely to get hurt, especially in the mouth or face. Children who engage in sports with a lot of contact are most likely to get hurt and lose a tooth, but children who play basketball, baseball, and martial arts are also at risk. Like a lot of other health problems and accidents, keeping your child from getting dental injuries can help protect their oral health. You should speak to an Aliso Viejo dentist to learn more.
Why do people get dental injuries when they play sports?
Kids get more dental problems than you might think when they play sports. A 10-year study by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that almost one-third of all injuries in children were caused by sports. This shows that playing sports increases the chance of getting mouth and maxillofacial injuries.
A study of tooth accidents that happened in U.S. emergency rooms from 1990 to 2003 also found that 81% of them were in kids younger than 17 years old. Kids younger than seven years old were most likely to get these tooth problems.
These numbers make it clear how important it is to protect your child’s smile while they play sports by buying protective gear like mouthguards to fit their needs. Whether a child is starting soccer lessons for the first time or a teen is playing football in high school, mouth problems should not be ignored.
How can you keep your teeth from getting hurt in contact sports?
It is not enough to just get your child the right mouthguard for physical sports to protect their smile. If you want to lower your chance of tooth accidents, try these things:
- Dental injuries are much less likely to happen in games like soccer, football, and basketball if the right skills are taught, like how to fall safely.
- Make sure to check your child’s safety gear often for signs of damage. Any broken or worn-out tools should be replaced.
- Make sure your kid wears their mouthguard to games and training.
- Kids often have accidents when they are not paying attention. Tell your kids to stay alert while they play so they do not hit anything.
Along with taking precautions, your child player needs to get regular dental care. Make sure they use a mouth rinse made for kids and brush and floss their teeth twice a day. If you follow these steps, you can help your child enjoy the thrill of contact sports while also keeping their smile safe.
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