When it comes to playing sports, safety is the number one priority. Unfortunately, dental injuries are not uncommon when it comes to sports-related incidents. Here are our top tips to protect your children’s teeth during the back to school sports season.

Wear a mouth guard

The best way to prevent a dental injury is to wear a mouth guard. You don’t want your child’s teeth to be knocked out, broken or chipped. Before purchasing a mouth guard, talk with your dentist. Your dentist knows your child’s mouth the best. They know the appropriate suggestions for which mouth guard should be purchased. It is extremely important the mouth guard fits your child’s mouth properly. You do not want it to fall out while your child is on the field playing sports.

Maintain a healthy diet to build strong teeth and gums

By staying away from sugary snacks, you are building strong roots in your gums. When it comes to your child’s diet, limit soft drinks and sugary foods that promote tooth decay. Replace the candies, soda, and potato chips with fruits and vegetables. If your child does consume a sugary snack, the best thing they could do is drink water and brush their teeth. The water helps rinse away bacteria and brushing your teeth gives your child a good cleaning. The stronger your child’s teeth, the better protected they will be when playing a sport.

Take your child to the dentist twice a year

Taking your child to the dentist more than once a year might seem like a lot, but it is the easiest way to prevent any dental problems from forming. The dentist wants to keep your child’s teeth in tip-top shape. If any problems do occur, your dentist can fix it before it gets worse.

Encourage good hygiene at home

From a young age, you want to encourage good dental hygiene in your children. Keeping good hygiene at home includes: brushing your teeth twice a day or after every meal, flossing at least once a day, and changing your toothbrush every three months. Good hygiene will help make your children’s teeth strong and prevent any injuries from occurring.