Guide By Dentist Rockford IL To Protect Your Child’s Teeth from Sports Injuries: Family Dentistry, Dental Emergencies & Mouth Guard Dentist
Children love playing sports, getting exercise, and being active outside, but it’s essential to protect their smiles, especially if they have braces. However, sports come with the risk of injuries, including to the mouth and teeth, which can often be addressed through cosmetic dentistry solutions. As a Rockford dentist, we want to help parents protect their child’s dental health when playing sports and encourage regular professional cleanings wiht expert pediatric dentistry. Read on for tips on preventing and dealing with common dental sports injuries, including advice from a comprehensive dental care provider.
Why Wearing a Mouthguard Matters
One of the most important ways to protect your child’s teeth is to have them wear a mouthguard during sports. Mouthguards are an essential piece of equipment that keep teeth safe, especially in the context of general dentistry. They act as a barrier between the teeth and help absorb shock from any impacts to the face, protecting permanent teeth. Mouthguards can prevent chips, cracks, tooth loss, and dental trauma, significantly reducing the risk of missing teeth, especially for children with braces. They are recommended for all contact sports by Dental Designers Rockford.
Types of Mouthguards To Know When You Visit the Dentist in Rockford for Dental Care
There are several options available for mouthguards, including stock mouthguards and custom options.
Boil and Bite Guards
These boil-and-bite mouthguards are the most common and widely available at sporting goods stores. You soften boil-and-bite mouth guards in hot water, then the child bites down to mold the plastic to their teeth. They provide basic protection, but often don’t fit as well as custom thermoplastic mouth guards, which are recommended for those with braces.
Custom-Made Guards
Your Rockford dentist also creates these guards. We take an impression of your child’s mouth and create a personalized mouth guard from that model, ensuring a better fit and protection, and ultimately, a beautiful smile. These fit the best and protect all teeth, especially when using braces.
Stock Guards
These generic mouthguards are the most affordable option, but they often fit the poorest, making personalized dental options preferable, especially for children in braces. They are bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult. Custom or boil-and-bite are better choices.
What To Do After A Dental Sports Injury
Even with mouthguards for your child, some dental injuries can still occur, underscoring the importance of consulting a family dentist. Here is how to address common sports-related dental issues, including the importance of consulting a family dentist.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
If your child has chipped a part of their tooth, place the broken piece in milk or a saline solution and consult a family dentist for a thorough dental examination and cleaning. Call our dental office immediately for urgent dental care if you experience a dental injury. We may be able to reattach the chip, but it’s important to address dental emergencies promptly. Covering the injury with a wet tea bag can help limit pain and swelling, a common remedy suggested by family dental services.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth gets completely knocked out, gently rinse it without touching the root, and visit our office servicing Rockford for immediate care. If possible, place the tooth back in its socket. If not, store it in milk or saline solution to help preserve it until you can reach a dental practice. Seek urgent dental care right away for the best chance of saving the tooth and possibly placing it back into the socket.
Cuts or Wounds
For tears, punctures, or cuts in the lips or gums, apply pressure with a clean gauze or towel to stop the bleeding, and consult your dentist for further instructions. Over-the-counter dental wax can protect against abrasions. See a pediatric dentist near Rockford, IL, if the wound is severe or if you have concerns about dental emergencies related to pediatric dentistry and working with children.
Face or Jaw Injury
Apply an ice pack to minimize swelling for facial bruising, fractures, or trauma, especially in cases involving athletic mouth injuries. Get medical help immediately for serious head, neck, or jaw injuries.
Schedule A Child Dental Exam from Our Family Dental Team During Dental Emergencies
Routine dental exams allow our Rockford dental team to spot emerging oral health issues early. We also recommend that you bring your child to us after any dental injury, primarily to assess potential dental problems and develop a treatment plan. Contact our office to schedule an appointment for any pediatric dental care needs, including consultations about orthodontic treatments such as braces. We provide careful, kid-friendly care in a relaxing environment at Dental Designers Rockford, including advice on braces and mouthguard options.
Protective Gear Works
Mouthguards prevent 200,000+ oral injuries each year, highlighting the importance of protective gear in pediatric dentistry. Ensure your child wears an athletic mouthguard from our mouthguards page for their safety during sports activities to prevent dental injuries. Get custom mouthguards from your Rockford dentist for the best fit and protection, ensuring a beautiful smile for your child, especially if they wear braces. Encourage other forms of mouth and face protection, such as helmets, whenever possible, as part of a comprehensive approach to your family’s oral health.
Work with your pediatric or family dentistry office to promote lifelong dental health for your child and ensure they maintain a beautiful smile, reducing dental anxiety, while also considering braces if necessary. Address any injuries promptly to minimize damage. Follow these tips to keep your child’s teeth safe while they play, especially when using a personalized dental mouth guard.
Key Takeaways: Tips for Protecting Your Child’s Teeth Using a Mouth Guard For Athletic Mouth
Invest in a properly fitted mouthguard and make sure your child wears it. Custom guards from your dentist work best.
Learn how to safely handle common dental injuries, such as chips and knockouts. Seek emergency dental care when needed, and remember to contact us if you have any questions or need advice on braces care.
Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings for preventive care. See the dentist after any mouth injury.
Encourage the use of protective equipment, such as helmets and face masks, during contact sports whenever possible.
Work as a team with your pediatric dentist to monitor dental development and catch issues early on, focusing on preventative care, regular x-rays, and ask your dentist for advice on protective gear.
Contact Us and Give Us a Call For Family Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry Services
Feel free to call us at Dental Designers Rockford with any questions about protecting your child’s dental health and smile.
