How Might Your Child Playing Sports Affect Their Oral Health?

Posted on February 8, 2024

If your child plays sports, you may wonder how being an athlete could impact their oral health. Sports come with risks of dental injuries and conditions that you’ll want your dentist to monitor. As a parent, you play a key role in ensuring your child athlete has excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Read on to learn how your pediatric dentist can help protect your sporty kid’s smile.

Dental Injuries

Unfortunately, dental injuries are common with sports as collision with equipment, balls, other players, or the ground could loosen or chip teeth. Your child’s pediatric dentist may suggest that you invest in mouthguards to shield teeth during games and practices. You’ll want to ensure your child wears this protective gear consistently when playing contact sports. According to the World Health Organization, about 20% of people, or one in five, will experience dental trauma to their teeth.

Dental Trauma

If a tooth has been knocked out completely, pick it up by the crown, or the white part, not the root, or the pink or red area. Gently rinse off the tooth if needed, but don’t scrub it. Place the tooth in a container with milk, saliva, or specialized storage media from your dentist. Then, head to the dentist’s office as soon as you possibly can. The sooner this dental trauma is treated, the better chance your child’s tooth can be salvaged or successfully replaced. Time is critical for the best outcome.

Hygiene Habits

Between schoolwork, practices, games, and other activities, your busy kid’s oral hygiene routine may slip, which allows cavity-causing plaque to build up. Work with your pediatric dentist to instill healthy habits in your young athlete, like brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily too, use antimicrobial rinses, and avoid constantly snacking on sugary sports drinks and foods. Stay hydrated but drink more water than sweetened beverages.

By partnering with your dentist and emphasizing oral health vigilance, your athletic child can confidently play their sport without distress over dental woes. Protect that precious smile, so it shines brightly for years to come. If it’s been six months or longer since your child last saw a pediatric dentist, or if they experience dental injuries, they need to be seen by a professional. Call Jacaranda Smiles to schedule an appointment.