Protecting Your Child's Smile During Winter Sports Season in Laredo

Winter brings cooler temperatures to South Texas, and with it comes youth sports season—basketball games in the gym, soccer tournaments on Saturday mornings, and even the occasional ice skating trip during the holidays. While keeping your child active is wonderful for their overall health, it's important to remember that their smile needs protection too.

Dental injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries in children and teens. The good news? Most of these injuries are entirely preventable with the right protection and awareness.

Why Winter Sports Put Teeth at Risk

Many parents associate mouthguards with football season, but winter sports carry significant dental risks too. Basketball alone accounts for a substantial portion of dental injuries in young athletes, with elbows, falls, and collisions leading to chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth.

Even non-contact sports pose risks. Ice skating falls, unexpected collisions during soccer games, and playground accidents during recess all threaten your child's developing smile. Baby teeth might seem less important to protect, but injuries to primary teeth can affect the permanent teeth developing beneath the gums.

The impact goes beyond the immediate injury. A knocked-out permanent tooth that isn't handled properly within minutes can be lost forever. Cracked teeth may require extensive treatment including root canals or crowns. Even seemingly minor chips can lead to sensitivity, pain, and cosmetic concerns that affect your child's confidence.

Understanding Dental Injuries in Young Athletes

Different sports create different risks, and knowing what your child faces helps you prepare appropriately.

Basketball

Fast-paced gameplay with multiple players in close proximity creates frequent opportunities for contact. Elbows to the face during rebounds, collisions under the basket, and falls on the hard court all put teeth at risk. Basketball consistently ranks among the top sports for dental injuries.

Soccer

While players aren't supposed to use their hands, heads frequently collide during headers, and falls are common. Accidental kicks, head-to-head contact, and ground impacts all threaten dental health.

Ice Skating and Hockey

Hard ice surfaces mean falls carry extra consequences. Even recreational skating can result in serious dental trauma if a child falls forward onto the ice.

Cheerleading and Gymnastics

Flips, tumbles, and pyramids all create opportunities for dental injuries. Falls from height or collisions with other athletes can cause significant damage.

Playground Activities

Don't overlook recess and playground time. Monkey bars, swings, and even tag games lead to countless dental injuries each year.

Our board-certified pediatric dentists emphasize that prevention is always easier and less costly than treatment. The investment in a properly fitted mouthguard is minimal compared to the expense and discomfort of treating a dental injury.

The Truth About Mouthguards

Not all mouthguards offer equal protection, and many parents don't realize the differences between options available at sporting goods stores and custom-fitted appliances.

Stock Mouthguards

These ready-to-wear options are inexpensive and widely available, but they offer the least protection and comfort. They don't mold to your child's teeth, often fit poorly, and can make breathing and speaking difficult. Many young athletes remove them during play because they're so uncomfortable, defeating the purpose entirely.

Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards

A step up from stock options, these thermoplastic guards soften in hot water and then mold to your child's teeth when they bite down. They offer better fit and protection than stock guards but still don't match custom options. They wear out relatively quickly and may not provide adequate protection for high-risk sports.

Custom-Fitted Mouthguards

Made from impressions taken at your pediatric dental office, custom mouthguards offer superior protection, comfort, and fit. They're designed specifically for your child's mouth, accounting for the unique size and arrangement of their teeth. Because they fit properly, kids are much more likely to wear them consistently.

Our team notes that custom mouthguards accommodate growing mouths better than over-the-counter options. As your child's teeth shift and permanent teeth erupt, the guard can be adjusted or remade to maintain optimal protection.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend custom-fitted mouthguards for the best protection during sports activities.

When Your Child Needs a Mouthguard

The answer is simpler than many parents expect: if there's any chance of contact with another player, equipment, or the ground, your child should wear a mouthguard.

This includes organized sports like basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling, and martial arts. It also includes recreational activities like skateboarding, rollerblading, and bicycling.

Even if your child's league doesn't require mouthguards, consider providing one anyway. Rules focus on safety minimums, but you can always exceed those standards to protect your child's smile.

Young children playing recreational sports need protection too. The fact that a game is "just for fun" doesn't make dental injuries any less painful or expensive to treat. In fact, recreational play often lacks the coaching and supervision that helps prevent injuries in organized leagues.

Special considerations apply for children wearing braces. Orthodontic appliances create additional risks during sports, as brackets and wires can cut the inside of the mouth during impact. Dr. Villarreal, our board-certified orthodontist, can provide special orthodontic mouthguards that protect both the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth.

What to Do When Dental Injuries Happen

Even with the best prevention, accidents occur. Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

For a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Time is critical—you have roughly 30 minutes to save the tooth. Find the tooth immediately and handle it only by the crown (the white part), never touching the root. If it's dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saline solution—never scrub it or use tap water. If possible, try to place the tooth back in its socket. If that's not feasible, keep it moist by placing it in milk, saline solution, or having your child hold it in their cheek. Call our Laredo office immediately at (956) 725-3100. We prioritize dental emergencies and will see your child as quickly as possible.

For a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Do not try to replant a baby tooth, as this can damage the permanent tooth developing beneath it. Control any bleeding with clean gauze and call our office for guidance. While baby teeth aren't replanted, the injury still requires evaluation to ensure no damage occurred to surrounding structures.

For Chipped or Cracked Teeth

Save any pieces you can find and rinse your child's mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Contact our office right away—even small chips can lead to bigger problems if left untreated. Sharp edges can cut the tongue or cheeks, and cracks can allow bacteria to enter the tooth's interior.

For a Tooth Pushed Out of Position

Don't try to move it yourself. Apply a cold compress and call us immediately for emergency care. Attempting to reposition the tooth without professional guidance can cause additional damage.

For Cuts to Lips, Tongue, or Cheeks

Rinse with water and apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding. If bleeding doesn't stop within 15 minutes or if the cut is deep, seek immediate medical attention. Some lacerations require stitches to heal properly.

Beyond Mouthguards—Complete Sports Safety

Protecting teeth involves more than just wearing a mouthguard during games. A comprehensive approach to sports safety includes several important elements.

Proper equipment matters. Make sure your child wears appropriate protective gear for their sport—helmets for biking and skating, face guards when required, and properly fitted athletic shoes to prevent falls. All equipment should fit correctly and meet current safety standards.

Adequate supervision reduces injury risk. Ensure your child's sports activities have appropriate adult supervision, with coaches who understand injury prevention and response. Even backyard play benefits from adult oversight, especially when multiple children are playing active games together.

Good conditioning helps prevent injuries. Athletes who are physically prepared for their sport, with adequate strength, flexibility, and endurance, are less likely to experience injuries. Encourage your child to warm up before play and cool down afterward.

Playing by the rules isn't just about sportsmanship—it's about safety. Many dental injuries occur when players engage in overly aggressive behavior or ignore safety guidelines. Teach your child that following rules protects everyone on the field or court.

Regular dental checkups help us monitor your child's oral health and catch potential problems early. If your child does experience a dental injury, having established dental care means we're already familiar with their dental history and can provide more effective treatment.

Special Considerations for Different Ages

Young children playing their first organized sports need mouthguards too, even though baby teeth will eventually fall out. Injuries to primary teeth can damage the permanent teeth developing beneath them, potentially affecting your child's smile for life. Additionally, young children are still developing coordination and spatial awareness, making them more prone to falls and collisions.

School-age children with mixed dentition—both baby and permanent teeth—need special attention. Their mouths are changing rapidly as permanent teeth erupt, which means mouthguards may need frequent replacement to maintain proper fit. This transitional period is critical for protecting permanent teeth that have just emerged.

Teens and pre-teens often participate in more competitive, faster-paced sports where injury risk increases. Their permanent teeth are fully erupted, making protection even more crucial. Many teens are also undergoing orthodontic treatment, requiring special mouthguards designed to fit over braces.

Athletes with special health care needs deserve the same protection as their peers. We can create customized mouthguards that accommodate unique oral structures or medical conditions, ensuring every child can participate safely in sports they enjoy.

The Cost of Prevention Versus Treatment

Many parents hesitate about the cost of custom mouthguards, but consider the alternative. A knocked-out permanent tooth may require an implant in adulthood, costing thousands of dollars. Root canal treatment, crowns, and other restorative procedures add up quickly. Emergency dental visits, missed school and work, pain medications, and follow-up appointments all carry financial and emotional costs.

A custom mouthguard typically costs a fraction of treating even a minor dental injury. Many dental insurance plans cover mouthguards partially or fully, recognizing their value in preventing more expensive treatment down the road. Even without insurance coverage, the investment protects your child's smile and your family's budget.

Beyond dollars and cents, consider the non-financial costs of dental injuries. Your child may experience pain and discomfort, miss school and sports activities, and feel self-conscious about their appearance. Extensive dental work often requires multiple appointments, creating stress for both children and parents.

Prevention really is the best medicine—and the most affordable option for maintaining your child's healthy, confident smile throughout their athletic pursuits.

Building Healthy Habits That Last

Teaching your child to protect their teeth during sports creates habits that extend far beyond the playing field. Kids who learn to prioritize oral health in athletics often carry that awareness into other areas of their lives, practicing better oral hygiene overall.

Make wearing a mouthguard as routine as putting on shin guards or a helmet. Help your child understand that mouthguards aren't optional or "just for wimps"—they're essential safety equipment that smart athletes use to protect their performance and their future.

Let your child participate in choosing their mouthguard, especially if you opt for a custom option with color choices. When kids feel ownership over their protective equipment, they're more likely to wear it consistently.

Set a good example. If you participate in recreational sports, wear your own mouthguard. Children learn more from what we do than what we say, and seeing adults prioritize dental protection reinforces its importance.

Keep Your Young Athlete's Smile Protected in Laredo

Winter sports season is in full swing across Laredo, from youth basketball leagues to soccer tournaments and everything in between. Don't wait for an injury to think about protecting your child's teeth.

At Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our experienced team—including Dr. Anna Stell, Dr. Kara Whittington, Dr. Joanna Ayala, and Dr. Diana Villarreal—can create custom-fitted mouthguards designed specifically for your child's mouth and sport. We'll ensure proper fit, discuss care instructions, and provide guidance on when the mouthguard needs replacement as your child grows.

If your child does experience a dental emergency, we're here to help. Our Laredo office prioritizes urgent care to give your child the best possible outcome. We understand that dental injuries don't follow a schedule, and we're committed to being available when your family needs us most.

Call Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics at (956) 725-3100 to schedule an appointment at our Laredo location on McPherson Road. Let's work together to keep your young athlete's smile healthy, protected, and ready for whatever the season brings!