With families gearing up for kids returning to sports and school, it’s crucial to explore the best ways to protect those winning smiles during athletic activities.

Understanding the Risks

Common Dental Injuries in Kids’ Sports

• Chipped or fractured teeth
• Dislodged teeth
• Knocked-out teeth (avulsion)
• Soft tissue injuries to lips, cheeks, and tongue

High-Risk Sports for Kids

While all physical activities carry some risk, some sports pose a higher likelihood of injuries than others:

• Contact sports like football, hockey, and rugby
• Ball sports including basketball, baseball, and soccer
• Extreme sports like skateboarding and mountain biking

Fun Fact: Studies show that young athletes are 60 times more likely to experience dental injuries if they don’t wear a mouth guard.

Custom-Fitted Mouth guards: A Game-Changer

Custom-fitted mouth guards stand out as the best choice for protecting teeth during sports.

Here’s why they excel:

1. Customized fit

2. Enhanced comfort with a less bulky design for easy breathing and speaking

3. Greater durability thanks to high-quality materials

4. Advanced protection by evenly distributing impact forces

Over-the-Counter Mouth guards: A Value Option

While not as effective as custom-fitted guards, over-the-counter mouth guards can still offer some protection:

Boil-and-Bite Mouth guards

• Provide better adaptability than stock mouth guards
• Soften in hot water and mold to fit teeth
• Offer improved comfort compared to one-size-fits-all options

Stock Mouth guards

• Ready for immediate use out of the package
• The least expensive option available
• Limited customization and protection level

Beyond Mouth guards: Additional Protective Gear

Face Shields and Cages

• Essential for sports like hockey and lacrosse
• Cover the entire face, including teeth
• Often mandatory due to league regulations

Helmets

• Essential for high-impact sports
• Provide overall protection to the head and face
• Look for designs with built-in face guards for extra safety

Educating Families and Kids

The Importance of Consistent Use

Encourage families to wear mouth guards during:

• Practices, training sessions, and games
• Recreational activities and competitions
• Back-to-school sports events

Proper Care and Maintenance

Teach families and kids to:

• Rinse the mouth guard before and after each use
• Store it in a well-ventilated container
• Replace the mouth guard when signs of wear are visible

Handling Injuries: Quick Response Tips

Despite precautions, accidents can happen. Prepare families with these emergency guidelines:

1. For a knocked-out tooth:

   – Retrieve the tooth by holding the crown

   – Rinse gently without scrubbing

   – Try to reinsert or store it in milk

   – Seek immediate dental care

2. For a chipped or fractured tooth:

   – Rinse the mouth with warm water

   – Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling

   – Save any broken pieces

   – Contact a dentist promptly

Bonus Tip: Create a brochure to display in your office highlighting your favorite dental protection products. This is great reading material for families to peruse while waiting for their appointment, and with school back in season, teeth protection in sports is a hot topic. Encourage families to make small steps today to preserve their smiles for a lifetime.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Benjamin Franklin