Preventing Dental Injuries in Mint Hill NC
We all want to protect our children. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t educate our children on proper behaviors to avoid injury. When it comes to dental injuries, kids’ upper front teeth are the ones typically impacted in an accident. Mint Hill NC children’s dentist Dr. Bevin Malley wants to help you protect your child from oral-related injuries. Here, she shares tips to keep kids safe.
Causes of Dental Injuries
While car accidents are a major cause of injury, a lot of dental injuries occur from everyday activities, including:
- Kids shoving and pushing each other
- Falling on stairs
- Running with objects in their mouth
- Tripping
- Falling off of bikes or playground equipment
- Biting hard objects
Preventing Dental Injuries
In the situations mentioned above, a little education can go a long way. As a conscientious parent, you’re probably already teaching your child how to do things the right way in order to avoid getting hurt. But, like all good advice, some things bear repeating. Instead of just telling your child to “be careful,” considering the following:
- Remind kids to take turns, not to push, and to be considerate of others
- Don’t hurry children on stairs and remind them to use handrails or to hold your hand
- Review safety rules on the playground (no jumping off of high objects or using equipment improperly)
- Instruct kids on what goes in the mouth and what doesn’t
- Set a good example by always wearing your seat belt
- Always have your child wear a helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, scooter, or when skating
- Make sure shoes are tied to avoid tripping on shoestrings
When Things Happen…
If your child sustains a dental injury, don’t panic. (Easier said than done, we know!) Try to remain calm and assess your child’s situation, then obtain medical treatment if necessary. Our Mint Hill dentist’s office is always available to help your child. We even have an after-hours hotline for emergencies that occur outside of our working hours.
Call Us When You Need Us
At Carolina Kids Dentistry, Mint Hill pediatric dentist Dr. Malley and our entire team are always here for you.