Skip to content 
Blog
3 Essential Ways to Prevent Dental Injuries This School Year
When school starts back up in Athens, kids spend hours running on the playground and jumping around in gym class. While all that activity is fantastic for their growing bodies, the school year can also ramp up the risk of accidental dental injuries. Simple accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, but there are some steps families can take to help prevent them.
Follow these three practical safety rules to help your child to keep their smile safe and intact all year long.
Teach Water Fountain Courtesy to Prevent Broken Front Teeth
It sounds like a minor detail, but chipped front teeth from water fountain accidents are surprisingly common in elementary and middle schools! When kids line up at the fountain after recess, crowding or playful pushing from behind can easily bump a child’s mouth hard against the fountain. Teach your child important line safety for water fountain use:
- Hold onto the sides of the fountain
- Keep a firm footing
- Never push when someone else is taking a drink.
Establish Safe Habits on Playground Equipment
Recess is the highlight of the school day, but it’s also a frequent source of dental trauma in young kids. Children often try to jump off moving swings or catch themselves with their chin during a fall down the slide.
Remind your child of key safety rules when using the recess equipment.
- Hold on to the swing or equipment with both hangs
- Only get off of the swing once it’s stopped
- Avoid running across landing zones where other kids are dismounting.
Know the Emergency Game Plan for Loose or Chipped Teeth
Even with great safety habits, accidents sometimes happen. Teaching your child what to do immediately after a facial bump removes panic and saves precious time. Tell your child that if a tooth ever gets chipped, knocked loose, or bumped at school, they should immediately inform a teacher or school nurse. Then, they should gently rinse their mouth with plain water, and save any broken tooth pieces in a clean paper towel. Remind them to only pick up a tooth by the crown and never to touch the roots.
Read More: Preventing Common Children’s Dental Risks
Keep Your Child Safe, Happy, and Active with Children’s Dental Care in Athens
Protecting your child’s smile throughout the school year is all about building smart everyday habits. Our team at Cole Family Dental is your trusted dental clinic in Athens, offering complete kids’ dental care services, including oral hygiene and dental mouthguards.
Ready to schedule your child’s routine school-year check-up or need safety advice? Contact us to schedule an appointment with our children’s dentist in Athens.
Visit Our Dentists in Athens!
You Might Also Like
Here are some additional dental services that may help you reach your oral healthcare goals.
