How Do I Protect My Child’s Teeth During Outdoor Playtime?

If you have a child who spent playing outdoor games, it's time for you to take preventive measures to avoid the chances of dental damage caused by unforeseen accidents.

Use Mouthguards

While parents often know to outfit their children with helmets and pads when playing sports, mouthguards aren’t always top of mind. However, they should be considered an essential piece of athletic equipment since they can reduce the risk of injury to your child’s teeth.

Mouthguards are typically made of plastic or rubber and can be worn on the upper teeth or bottom teeth, depending on the sport. They are made to fit comfortably inside the mouth and will provide protection against hard hits to the face. If you aren’t sure which mouthguard is right for your child, talk to your dentist.

Use Helmets

Helmets are an excellent tool for protecting your child’s teeth during outdoor playtime. Helmets can prevent all kinds of injuries, including skull fractures and concussions. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of dental injury by 50 percent.

Helmets should be worn for:

• Sports-related activities.
• Bicycle riding.
• Horseback riding.
• Skateboarding.
• Roller skating.
• Scooter riding.
• Rollerblading.
• Skateboarding.
• Sledding.
• Sledding.
• Snowmobiling.
• Ice skating.
• Downhill skiing.
• Snowboarding.

Use protective gear

While playing outdoors is fun, it can also cause injury to your child’s teeth. It’s important for parents to know some tips on how to protect their child’s teeth during outdoor playtime. Children often play sports outside, such as baseball, soccer, and football. Each sport has different protective gears that provide protection to the child's teeth. Make sure that the child has the protective gear to keep themselves safe.

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

While daily brushing and flossing can help maintain your child’s oral health, regular dental checkups are recommended. These visits are an opportunity for your dentist to monitor your child’s oral health and address any issues that may need attention.

Your pediatric dentist can evaluate your child’s teeth, jaw, gums, and oral tissues to determine if any preventive treatments, such as sealants or fluoride treatment, may be needed. They can also monitor your child’s progress as they grow and their teeth develop. While parents often know to outfit their children with helmets and pads when playing sports, mouthguards aren’t always top of mind. However, they should be considered an essential piece of athletic equipment since they can reduce the risk of injury to your child’s teeth.

To know more, call us at (907) 336-1234 and schedule an appointment.