Children's Teeth Need Protection During Sports

Imagine a girl’s softball game played by energetic kids. Suddenly the batter hits a line drive straight at the pitcher. The pitcher falls to her knees clutching her mouth.

"A mouth guard can protect teeth from a blow from a softball, soccer ball or any other type of sporting equipment," says Robert Dennison, DMD, Chairperson, Dental Policy, Delta Dental Plans Association. "Athletes’ teeth are 60 times more susceptible to damage without a mouth guard." Mouth guards are one of the most effective pieces of protective equipment in contact sports.

"Damage to teeth at an early age can have permanent effects and be costly," says Dennison. Treating and correcting the effects of a lost tooth over a lifetime can cost up to $20,000.

If one of your child’s teeth should get knocked out, handle the tooth by its top, not the root. Do not clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Insert the tooth into the socket if possible and have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it in milk or water. See the dentist immediately. As with most physical injuries, time is critical.

Mouth guards should be worn during the following sports: acrobatics, basketball, boxing, field hockey, football, gymnastics, handball, ice hockey, lacrosse, skateboarding, skiing, skydiving, soccer, squash, surfing, volleyball, water polo, weight lifting and wrestling.

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