The long days and short nights of summer create the perfect conditions for outdoor fun. And while warmer weather might tear your child away from that comfy living room chair, it’s also the time of year when youth accidents are most common.

Swimming Pool Safety

As you watch your little one scream with glee while doing a flip into the swimming pool, don’t forget to make sure his or her landing spot is deep enough! Many traumatic dental injuries are the result of an impact to the face from the side or floor of swimming pools. If your child is a young adrenaline junkie, make sure he or she jumps into the pool from safe and approved areas, like diving boards or platforms. Encourage walking instead of running when around the pool.

In addition to following pool safety rules, if your child is a competitive swimmer and in the pool more than 6 hours a week, talk to your dentist about the best ways to avoid “swimming calculus.” Swimming calculus is a fancy way of describing hard brown tartar that builds up after prolonged exposure to chemically treated water.

Take Care in Contact Sports

Whether your child is playing football or participating in gymnastic classes, dental trauma is always a concern. Luckily, there is a solution to help mitigate this risk: mouth guards. Even if the sport your child plays doesn’t require a mouth guard, it’s a smart purchase if you want to protect your child’s teeth and oral tissue. Beyond knocked out and damaged teeth, mouth guards also help to prevent oral lacerations, which can be one of the most painful injuries.

Mouth guards are available at your dentist’s office, and even at the local sports store. If your child wants a custom fit mouthpiece, it’s best to talk to your dentist about the options available.

Just because injuries increase during the summer doesn’t mean your child is destined for trouble. It helps when parents take preventive measures and are aware of the risks associated with certain activities.

Do you have any summer advice for parents? Leave it in the comments!