Thursday, February 14, 2013

the unexpected jack-o-lantern


Spring is right around the corner and soon kids will be outside running around and playing sports.  Whether it be shin guards, shoulder pads, knee pads, gloves or elbow pads- your child’s physical safety is important to you.  Your child’s teeth are just as important to protect. Mouthguards, AAPD tells us, can be used to protect a child’s teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sport related injuries.  Visit your child’s pediatric dentist so they can make a custom-fitted soft plastic mouthguard to help protect your child from injuries to the teeth and head. 

 

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION, more than 2 million teeth are knocked out each year due to sports-related injuries! 




Remember, that if your child does have a tooth knocked out, especially a permanent tooth- that often times, a pediatric dentist can reattach the tooth. 

Three things you can do if your child’s tooth is knocked out.

  1. Most importantly, stay calm.  Find the tooth, try not to touch the root.
  2. If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket.  If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a glass of milk.
  3. Take your child and their tooth immediately to your pediatric dentist.