| Quick Answer: Active summer play — biking, scooters, sports, and pools — means more chipped and knocked-out teeth. Prevent injuries with a properly fitted mouthguard for sports, helmets and pads for wheels, and supervision around hard pool edges. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, handle it by the crown, keep it in milk, and call us within an hour for the best chance of saving it. |
Summer is the season of skinned knees — and, too often, damaged teeth. At Smiles for Kids Dentistry in Albuquerque, our pediatric dentists see a reliable jump in dental injuries once school lets out. The good news: most are preventable, and quick action makes a big difference when accidents happen.
Why Summer Brings More Dental Injuries
With more unstructured outdoor time — bikes, scooters, skateboards, trampolines, sports, and slippery pool decks — the odds of a fall or collision go up. Teeth are frequently in the line of impact, and unlike a scraped knee, a damaged permanent tooth doesn’t heal on its own.
The Most Common Summer Dental Injuries
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth
- Teeth pushed loose or out of position
- Cuts to the lips, tongue, and gums
How to Protect Your Child’s Smile
- Use a properly fitted mouthguard for contact and ball sports — a custom guard offers the best protection.
- Insist on helmets for bikes, scooters, and skateboards.
- Supervise around pool edges and slippery surfaces.
- Check that playground equipment is age-appropriate and in good repair.
Dental First Aid: What to Do
Keep these steps handy:
- Knocked-out permanent tooth: handle it by the crown, rinse gently with milk or water, try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk, and call us within an hour.
- Knocked-out baby tooth: don’t reinsert it; call us to check the area.
- Chipped/cracked tooth: save any pieces, rinse the mouth, use a cold compress for swelling, and call us.
- Lip or tongue cut: clean it, apply gentle pressure and a cold compress; seek care if bleeding won’t stop.
When to Call Us Right Away
Call promptly for a knocked-out or loosened permanent tooth, severe pain or swelling, or bleeding that won’t stop. Fast care gives the best outcome — and our pediatric team is equipped to handle children’s dental emergencies calmly, with sedation available when treatment is needed.
Visit Smiles for Kids Dentistry in Albuquerque
Before summer sports ramp up, our Westside and Northeast Heights teams can fit your young athlete with a custom mouthguard and answer your dental-emergency questions. We care for Albuquerque kids from 9 months through age 18 (special needs to 26), with comprehensive care under one network. Contact our office to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent dental injuries during summer?
Use a properly fitted mouthguard for sports, require helmets for bikes and scooters, supervise around pools and hard surfaces, and keep playground gear age-appropriate and well-maintained.
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Handle it by the crown, rinse gently with milk or water, try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and call us within an hour for the best chance of saving it.
What if a baby tooth gets knocked out?
Don’t try to reinsert it. Call us so we can check the area and make sure the permanent tooth underneath isn’t affected.
My child chipped a tooth — what now?
Save any pieces, rinse the mouth, use a cold compress for swelling, and call us. Even a small chip should be evaluated to prevent further damage.
Does my child really need a mouthguard for summer sports?
For contact and ball sports, and anything on wheels, yes. A custom-fitted mouthguard is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent serious dental injuries.
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Gearing up for an active summer? We truly care about your child’s health and happiness. Reach out to get your child’s appointment scheduled. We can’t wait to see you. Smiles for Kids Dentistry │ West: 9201 Eagle Ranch Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114 • East: 2801 Eubank Blvd NE, Ste J, Albuquerque, NM 87112 │ (505) 892-9010 (West) / (505) 299-9606 (East) │ Contact Us → |