Preventing Dental Injuries (Our Published Article)

Preventing Dental Injuries for Your Child (Recently Published in “Frederick’s Child” Magazine)

By Joseph Camacho, DDS and Michael Virts, DDS

As the weather warms, pediatric dentists begin to see the results of active children- grass stains, dirty knees, and, unfortunately, sometimes injuries to the mouth and teeth.   According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), 10-39% of all dental injuries in children are due to sports-related accidents.  Children between the ages of 7-11 are the most likely to sustain these types of injuries, but they may happen at any age.  It is also suggested that the cost of all injuries, including those to the mouth and face, are estimated to exceed 1.8 billion dollars annually for young athletes.  In 2005, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimated that the overall cost to treat an avulsed (“knocked out”) permanent tooth ranges from $5,000 to $20,000 over a lifetime.  There is good news, however.  Many of these injuries can be prevented or lessened by the use of mouthguards and by seeking routine dental care for your growing, active child.  

Routine Dental Care

Routine care at your child’s dental home is very important to the prevention of sports-related injuries.  Your child’s dentist will be able to recommend a type of mouthguard suitable for your child’s sport(s).  Many dentists have the materials and machines to construct your child’s mouthguard directly in their office.  Studies have shown that children with front teeth that project too far forward, or an upper lip that does not fully cover their front teeth, are at a higher risk for mouth injuries.  The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child’s first visit to the orthodontist be no later than age 7.  Because 50-90% of dental injuries involve the upper front teeth, your child’s dentist will be able to monitor the growth of their jaws and guide your child to an orthodontist for care if necessary. 

Sports Mouthguards

The mouthguard, originally used by professional boxers, has been used in one form or another since the early 1900’s.  According to the AAPD, the National Federation of State High School Associations mandate mouthguards for only four sports, but fortunately, some states have added to this list.  Children who participate in baseball, softball, basketball, football (including flag or touch), soccer, field hockey, ice hockey, boxing, martial arts, and lacrosse should most definitely wear a mouthguard during the sport.  However, children who wrestle, skateboard, inline skate, bike, play volleyball, and even do gymnastics should also be wearing mouth protection.   In addition to protecting the teeth, mouthguards also aid to protect the jaws from severe injuries and the brain from concussions because they absorb much of the impact of a hard force.

Should an Injury Occur

Your child’s dental home is well-equipped to handle dental injuries.  Having a dental home established from by the time of your child’s first birthday will give you the necessary contact information should your child experience a dental injury.  If a baby tooth comes out, it is not advisable to replace the tooth, but please try to retrieve the tooth if you can locate it.  If it is a permanent tooth, pick up the tooth by its crown, place it in a container of milk, and bring your child to their dentist so that it may be replaced.  If your child’s tooth is pushed back, up, or forward, contact your child’s dental provider so that the situation can be evaluated by a professional.  Sometimes a tooth may be fractured, but only a professional can provide guidance for treatment.

Reference

Pediatric Dentistry Reference Manual 2010-11. Published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 2010, pp. 58-61.