As a parent, your priority is keeping your kids safe and happy, but sometimes encouraging healthy activities like outdoor play or sports participation can introduce your child to an element of risk. Dentists frequently see mouth, jaw, and tooth injuries that occur because of accidental blows to the face during active outdoor play. Here are a few ways to prevent mouth and jaw injuries in children.

3 Tips for Preventing Sports-Related Oral Injuries

1. Avoid Impact-Heavy Activities

One of the easiest ways to protect your child from oral injuries is by discouraging impact-heavy activities, such as contact football, basketball, or other sports that encourage active blocking, running, and throwing. Instead, suggest sports that involve less contact, such as track and field or swimming. 

2. Invest in a Helmet

Helmets not only prevent head injuries, but they also absorb impact that could radiate to your child’s mouth and jaw. If your young athlete likes to do activities where they could fall and hurt their head, such as riding a bike or skateboard, make sure they always wear a helmet. 

3. Get a Custom Mouthguard

Mouthguards protect the teeth and gums from injury by absorbing impact and cushioning the teeth. Custom mouthguards designed by dentists are especially effective at spreading out impact since they fit better and are made of higher quality materials. Studies have shown that custom-made mouthguards are more effective at preventing concussions than store-bought options.

If you have active kids who love to play sports, speak to the team at La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry as soon as possible. They can recommend a mouthguard for your child and teach them how to wear it. Since the inception of this family dental practice, these dentists have improved patient health through state-of-the-art pediatric dentistry. Find out more about how their dentists can help your family by visiting their website or by calling (608) 782-4054.