It’s the time of year when many children of all ages begin returning to school sports and we find it critical to be a “banging drum” sounding off about the importance of mouthguard use for contact sports as the research on dental injuries related to sports is overwhelming.
The ADA (American Dental Association) reports that between 13-39 percent of dental injuries are related to sports. Yet, some sporting teams and even high schools do not always require kids and teens to take preventive measures, such as the use of a mouthguard.
Many high schools only mandate mouthguards for football, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey. Mouth related injuries can occur in other sports as well, including baseball, and soccer. Studies have shown that wearing the protective gear does significantly drop the percentage of orofacial injuries. Dr. Mak reminds us that, “The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a mouthguard for all children participating in organized sports.”
If your child participates in any organized sport, we suggest that your child use a mouth guard, which we can help provide. Face cages can also be used. If helmets are a part of the sport, be sure to your child wears one. They are essential for avoiding trauma to the head such as concussion. Your child should wear a helmet that was designed for whatever sport they are participating in, which sounds obvious but we also lump in the alternative sports such as cycling, skateboarding, and downhill snow sports like skiing and snowboarding in this recommendation.
We also feel it is critical to mention that a helmet alone is rarely enough to prevent tooth injury and concussions. Certain types of collisions can involve traumatic tooth contact (think a blow under the chin) that can damage teeth and send shockwaves through the facial bones to the brain. This is where the sponginess of a shock absorbing, well-fitting mouthguard will provide the protection.
If a dental injury does occur to your child or someone in your presence, it is typically a cause for an emergency visit to your dentist for examination and repair. If a tooth is knocked out, it may be saved. The best chance you have for saving a tooth is to pick it up by the white crown (not the yellowish root), rinse it off with water only, and put it into the tooth’s socket and hold it in place by gently biting down or with your fingers. If you cannot put it back in the socket, keep it moist at all times by placing it in milk. Then, drive to your dentist right away. Try to get there within 30 minutes if you can.
If you have any other questions about sport related injuries or mouth guards, please feel free to discuss it with us at your next visit.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
