Whether your kids are new to organized sports or this is their first time on a team, they are no doubt ready to get out there and start playing as the weather warms up. You have probably gotten the required equipment to protect them, such as shin guards, helmets, and pads – but it is just as important to make sure their teeth are protected!
Tips for Protecting Teeth
It only takes a second for something to happen during the heat of the game that can chip a tooth or knock it out. Take some steps to protect your child’s teeth:
- Help them to keep their teeth healthy. Healthy teeth and gums help to keep teeth resilient. Make sure your kids brush twice a day, floss thoroughly at least once a day, eat a healthy diet, and visit their dentist for cleanings and checkups or when something just doesn’t seem right.
- Give them water instead of sports drinks. It’s important for kids to stay hydrated, but sports drinks, soft drinks, and fruit juices all have a lot of sugar in them. If they just have to have that sport drink, having them rinse their mouths out with water afterwards can clean off teeth and help to prevent cavities.
- Remind them to take out their oral piercing. It’s easy for an oral piercing to get caught on something and ripped out during a game. It’s also not uncommon for oral piercings to cause damage if they are pushed against teeth.
- Get a mouthguard. Mouthguards, made out of plastic to fit over your kid’s teeth, are easy to use and not very expensive, yet they offer a lot of protection.
- Choose your dentist wisely. You need a dentist that you know will be there for you and your children if something happens to their teeth. Does your dentist offer emergency services?
Even if children aren’t in what is considered a high-contact sport, you should make sure their teeth are protected. And if you do have an emergency, the staff at Soft Touch Dentistry is there for you! Contact the Brighton office at (617) 782-9250 or the Newton office at (617) 332-8146!