How To Keep Your Child's Teeth From Getting Knocked Out

If you have young children, you know how rowdy they can be. They have boundless energy, and they continuously need to burn it off. At home, they are jumping off the walls, launching themselves off the furniture, and running and sliding down the stairs. Even with your vigilant efforts, their rambunctious nature and boundless energy can sometimes cause them to get hurt.

Teeth are unfortunately a common casualty of a child’s playtime going wrong. The problem with teeth getting knocked out or chipped is that they don’t heal as normal wounds do. Permanent teeth will replace primary teeth, but if the latter has already emerged, broken ones are lost forever. If your child loses his tooth, it can also impair their ability to chew properly or speak clearly.

While accidents do happen, it is essential to take steps to preserve your child’s complete smile for as long as possible. Here are some ways you can help your child avoid getting their teeth knocked out:

Practice proper oral hygiene

Strong, healthy teeth are less prone to breakage and chipping. Use a fluoride-based toothpaste as soon as they learn to spit out water. You can consult your local dental care provider for a topical tooth cream that is fortified with calcium and phosphate, which strengthens the enamel on the surface of your child’s teeth.

Teach them to be conscious of injuries to their face

Aside from protecting their teeth, you can teach your child to protect their face to prevent severe injuries to their eyes, nose, and lips. Young toddlers may not yet understand, but older children can learn to be conscious of the threats. Educate them that injuries are possible when they jump in bouncy castles, trampolines, or even on their beds. They should also learn to shield their faces when playing contact sports.

Use a mouthguard when playing sports

If your child is involved in group activities or plays ball sports, you should take them to a children’s dentist to get them fitted for a mouthguard. It is a piece of flexible plastic that fits over the surfaces of their teeth, usually the top set. The rubber provides a layer of protection should they get hit in the face with a ball or they collide with another person.

Teach them not to use their teeth for anything other than eating

Children like to get creative and see what neat tricks they can do, including experimenting on what they can pull or bite off. They may try to open bottles, bite plastic toys, or rip packaging using their teeth. Warn them of the consequences of using their teeth for anything other than chewing and eating. You should also prevent your kids from forming bad habits that involve their teeth like brushing too hard, grinding their jaw, and chewing on ice or the ends of pencils.

Taking care of a child’s teeth is tough since you need to monitor them constantly to make sure they brush and floss their teeth. However, roughhousing, active play, and testing the limits of what their bodies are all part of healthy childhood development. It will be impossible to prevent them from these physical activities just to preserve their teeth. So equip them with the knowledge and awareness of taking good care of their teeth, and they can carry their complete, bright smile with them into adulthood.

Do you need a children’s dentist in Ann Arbor? We provide affordable dental care services such as dental implants, orthodontics, and restorative and preventive dentistry. Schedule your appointment with us today!