Practice, games, picture day, stinky equipment, and of course dirty uniforms, a routine every parent of an athlete knows all too well. The effort that parents put in during the sports season often deserves a trophy too! Kids usually don’t think of the behind-the-scenes help that their parents pitch in. We know that all parents want to see their kids succeed, as well as stay injury-free. Here are 5 ways that you can become an MVP parent for your child athlete!
Protect their pearly whites!
Contact sports are one of the leading causes of oral injuries among children. In fact, basketball and soccer are the two sports that cause a majority of them. Football used to be number one, but mandatory mouthguard usage has dramatically decreased oral injuries to almost zero. This is one of the main reasons that Dr. Casey recommends that all patients who participate in any sports should wear them. Custom-fit mouthguards are the safest and most comfortable solution for your little sports star and we can even make them in-house!
Be mindful of sports drinks.
Most parents would be shocked to learn how much sugar is in sports drinks. They are a lot less healthy than many would assume. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that most sports drinks are not healthy for children to consume. They also stated that children don’t need them for performance reasons and many also contain harmful ingredients. The high caloric content of these drinks is known for causing obesity and increased tooth decay among American children. For these reasons, water is the recommended beverage for kids competing in athletic competitions or routine workouts. What your children consume on the sidelines, especially unhealthy foods can make a difference even on the field.
Know how to respond to dental injuries!
Children are prone to losing baby teeth, even on the sports field. In these cases, tooth loss is an exciting time, often leading to a monetary increase in the child’s piggy bank! However, most oral injuries to permanent teeth also happen on the sports field, and knowing how to respond can save your child’s tooth! It takes 15 minutes for a knocked-out tooth to die, after this limited time period the tooth can no longer be reattached. The trick to prolonging this period is to immediately place the tooth in milk! Then head straight to your child’s pediatric dentists, so they can evaluate what further action needs to be taken.
Always feed kids nutritious pregame meals.
The pre-game meals that athletes eat are vital to their performance on the field! It is important that your little athletes eat a healthy, balanced diet, especially during their competitive seasons. (This includes healthy school lunches before practices too!) This also keeps their teeth healthy and strong, decreasing their chances of dental injuries. Your child’s diet can also determine the amount of energy they have throughout the game, as well as their body’s ability to perform at a competitive level. Take the time to research healthy recipes for your little athletes!
Being an MVP parent is what it takes to ensure that your child gets the most out of their athletic experiences! Oral injuries in sports are almost 100% preventable, especially among children who actively wear a mouthguard while competing. For more information on keeping your child’s teeth safe during competition or to schedule an appointment for your child to receive a custom-fitted mouthguard, please feel free to contact us!
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