From the early morning hockey practices at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex to the summer evenings on the soccer fields off Dundas, sports are a way of life for many families in Oakville. As you get your child's gear ready for the season, the helmet, pads, and skates, there's one crucial piece of safety equipment that's often overlooked: a custom-fitted mouthguard. Protecting your child’s smile is just as important as protecting their head and knees. As your local family dentist in Oakville, we want to provide a clear guide to dental safety so you can focus on the game with confidence.
While sports build character and teamwork, they also come with the risk of bumps, falls, and impacts. The most common dental injuries we see are preventable, and they include:
If an injury does happen, stay calm and follow these steps.
- For a Knocked-Out Tooth:
- Find the tooth. Hold it by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root.
- If it's dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saliva. Do not use water or scrub it.
- Try to place the tooth back in the socket. If you can, have your child hold it in place by biting down on a clean cloth.
- If you can't reinsert it, place the tooth in a small container of milk.
- Call us immediately. Time is critical for saving the tooth.
2. For a Chipped or Broken Tooth:
- Rinse your child's mouth with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress to the face to reduce swelling.
- Find any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you.
- Contact our office for an appointment.
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You've probably seen the "boil-and-bite" mouthguards available at sporting goods stores. While they seem like a convenient option, they don't offer the same level of protection as a professionally made one.
- Store-Bought (Boil-and-Bite): These offer a loose fit, are often bulky, and can make breathing and speaking difficult. Because they don't conform perfectly, the force of an impact isn't distributed evenly, leaving teeth vulnerable.
- Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: A custom mouthguard from your Oakville dentist is made from a precise impression of your child’s teeth. It fits snugly and securely, won't fall out during a critical play, and offers significantly superior protection by absorbing and distributing shock. They are more comfortable, making it more likely your child will actually wear it.
