Emergency dental care is not uncommon and is something that dentists know how to deal with. Injuries can affect oral health and, in the worst-case scenario, even result in tooth loss. It’s normal for parents to worry about the welfare of their children, especially when playing sports. Every game poses a dental injury risk if you have a sports champ in your home. This article provides safety tips to prevent dental emergencies during sports to put your mind at ease.
All You Need To Know To Prevent A Dental Emergency At Your Child’s Sporting Game
Children that play contact sports or any sport involving hard or heavy equipment expose their teeth to hazards. A hard and fast-moving ball is all that is needed to hit their face and result in a dental injury (which can be severe). A child that plays sports with hard objects or close contact must be equipped with adequate protection. Invest in the following equipment to promote the safety of your child’s teeth in every sporting game:
Face cages
It’s the perfect equipment for ensuring a ball doesn’t hit your child’s face directly, preventing an injury. It is especially true for kids that play the defensive position, including the wicketkeeper of a hockey goalie. The face cage will safeguard their teeth from all kinds of impacts.
Helmets
While some sports don’t allow it, getting a helmet for your child provides ease as they play. The head is an essential part of the body, and helmets prevent traumatic head injuries that could lead to concussions, brain damage, and other intricate issues. Besides, a helmet safeguards the head and goes the extra mile to protect the teeth and jaw.
Mouthguards
It is a piece of highly recommended equipment for any child who plays contact sports or a sport with heavy balls.
Fortunately, there are various options below:
Boil and bite mouthguards
You can purchase this mouthguard at a sporting goods store near you. It works by boiling the mouthguard in a pan and cooling it before handing it over to your child. Then your child places the mouthguard in their mouth and bites down hard as the name suggests. The softened rubber takes the shape of your child’s teeth. Boil and bite mouthguards are attractive for their affordability. However, they can be uncomfortable since they are not tailored to fit your child’s mouth.
Stock mouthguards
Unlike the former, they do not mould to the child’s teeth. They also do not need fitting since your child can hold them in place by clenching their teeth.
Custom-fit mouthguards
Due to the unmatched quality, they are pricier than the above options. Still, it makes financial sense as it adds value with added protection and comfort. During your visit to the dental clinic, the dentist will take an impression of the child’s teeth and use it to make a custom-fitting mouthguard. It is tailored to your child’s mouth size and shape. You will need to occasionally perform some cleaning on the custom-fit mouthguard and replace it when it wears and tears.
What To Do When Your Child Undergoes A Dental Injury?
It can create panic for parents. However, when it happens, you should treat it like any other emergency and take your child to an emergency children’s dentist as soon as possible. The sooner, the better and particularly with a case of tooth loss. Expert dentists can refit the tooth provided the root hasn’t begun to seal up.
If possible, get to your dentist within an hour of the occurrence and follow these steps:
- Rinse the root and hold the tooth in its position: Clear debris from the tooth’s root by simply rinsing. Hold the tooth in position to keep the root from sealing up. It boosts the chances of having a successful restoration.
- Place the tooth in milk: If you experience challenges placing the tooth back in its spot, that’s normal. An option is to keep it in milk. So, what happens if you cannot save the tooth? Dental implants can always work the magic of bringing back your baby’s smile.
Conclusion
Parents should take all precautions in the dental book to maintain their children’s natural teeth. If your child participates in any sports involving contact or hard balls, investing in the equipment mentioned in the article can go a long way. While helmets and face cages are excellent options, custom-fit mouthguards are explicitly designed to offer the best protection to your child’s teeth and mouth. Additionally, they provide unrivalled comfort than any of the other mouthguards. Schedule your child’s custom-fitting today with a reputable dental clinic!
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