WHEN WE PICTURE the ideal childhood, we usually think of children playing on playgrounds and exploring nature with their friends. They discover the world around them, imagine fantastical worlds beyond it, play games, and make friendships that could last a lifetime.
We all remember what it was like to be a kid. Running around, playing outside, discovering the world around us, and making great friends. We also remember the scraped knees and bumps and bruises that came along with all of that. As parents, we want our kids to have all the same great experiences we did, but hopefully without some of the injuries — particularly tooth injuries.
So what can parents do to minimize their children’s risk of tooth injuries while they play? It’s easy enough to remember a mouth guard during actual sporting activities, but sports games and practice aren’t the only situations that can lead to a lost or chipped tooth.
Top Tips for Tooth Safety
There are a few simple things we can do to keep our kids’ teeth safe, whether they’re at home or playing with friends.
The most common cause of tooth injuries in babies and toddlers is the bathtub.
With babies and toddlers, the most common culprit for tooth injuries is the bathtub. Never leave a young child unattended in the bathtub, because they could easily slip and hurt their teeth. All that slippery porcelain makes it easy for them to fall and hurt their teeth. To minimize this risk, never leave a baby or toddler unattended in the bathtub.
Frisbees, balls, and other things meant for throwing can easily cause tooth injuries.
When your child is playing with friends and using objects such as frisbees or balls, have a discussion with them about safety. As obvious as it may sound, make sure they know how important it is not to aim for each other’s heads. Before your child goes out to play, talk to them about safety.
Using playground equipment like the monkey bars, jungle gym, and swings can easily lead to tooth injuries.
Playground equipment such as swings, a jungle gym, or monkey bars are not kind to teeth if a child falls on them face-first. Make sure your child knows to be careful before going on the playground. Make sure to talk to your children before they start playing so that they will know to be careful.
Adult supervision and open conversations about safety are the most crucial components of reducing the risk of injury. By utilizing them, you could help your child avoid the need for major dental work. Just as important in that regard are their daily brushing and flossing habits and their regular dental checkups, because healthy teeth are harder to injure.
What to Do When Accidents Happen
Plan Ahead
Sometimes accidents happen even under careful adult supervision and when the children understand potential hazards and use caution. While it is possible to reduce the risks of your child injuring a tooth, not all accidents are preventable. Don’t panic if your child loses or injures a tooth. In the event a tooth does get knocked out or chipped, follow these simple steps:
1. Make sure there are no overlooked health emergencies. Sometimes it may seem as if the broken or loose teeth are the biggest issue, but remember that head and neck traumas are often overlooked and can be much more dangerous than a broken or loose tooth.
2. If a tooth falls out of its socket, try to put it back in place right away. It can be difficult to discern the difference between an adult tooth and baby tooth. In order to save an adult tooth that has fallen out, timing is of the essence.
3. Go straight to your child’s pediatric dentist. Reattachment isn’t always possible, but this will give it the best chance.
4. If you can’t easily put the tooth back in place, or if the tooth has chipped or fractured, store it in a glass of milk. This will help keep the root alive while you are on your way to the dentist. The faster you get to us, the better chances the tooth will have of being saved. Make sure you don’t try to clean the tooth or put it in water, though, because this will kill the root!
Keep Those Teeth Healthy
Another important way to protect your child’s teeth from injury is to keep them healthy with twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, as well as regular dental appointments. Healthy teeth are stronger and more resistant to injury!
We love to see those healthy smiles!
Remember that taking your child to a pediatric dentist is just as important as taking your child to see a pediatrician – both specialize in the growth and development of children.
They Grow Up So Fast
Childhood never seems to last as long as we, the parents, wish it would. Our practice can’t make it last longer, but we hope this advice will help make it a little safer. If you have any questions for us about child tooth safety, feel free to ask or come see us. If not, we look forward to seeing you and your child at their next regular check-up!
Be careful with those teeth, but don’t forget to have fun!
Jean G. You, DDS is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and Practice Owner of Little Tooth Co. Children’s Dentistry in Apex. She specializes in dentistry for children, infants and teens and is in-network with most insurance carriers.
Disclaimer: This article is for information and education purposes only and is not intended to provide or offer treatment, diagnosis, or dental advice. No doctor/patient relationship is established by reading this article, and the information contained here should be used in consultation with a dentist of your choice.
