Avoid summer dental

IN the summer, kids
race outdoors to play-
grounds, baseball dia-
monds, soccer fields,
skateboarding parks
and swimming pools.

But the fun and games can
be spoiled in a hurry ifa tooth
is accidentally broken or
knocked out during play.

“Dental injuries are one of
the most common types of

sports-related facial injuries,”
said Dr. Gary Derkson, head
of dentistry with — the
Children’s and = Women’s
Health Centre of British
Columbia.

“That is why dentists ree-
ommend that children wear a
protective mouthguard if they
Participate in contact sports or
any recreational activity that
may pose a risk to the mouth
and teeth,” he said.

Mouthguards can not only
help prevent dental injuries,
but can also cushion blows to
prevent broken jaws, neck
injuries and concussions.

“Most people think of pro-
tective mouthguards as stan-
dard equipment only for high-
contact sports such as ice
hockey and football,” said
Derkson. “Bur mouthguards
also protect in low-contact
activities, such as softball,
rollerblading, skateboarding,
and mountain biking.”

The Association of Dental
Surgeons of BC recommends
that parents consult with their
dentist on the type of mouth-

guard that is best for their
Shi, A dentist can make a
-custom. mouthguard that is

et comauane

appropriate for a child"s age
and wpe af sports they play
and that fits the special condi-
tens of their mouth, such as
braces or 2 retainer.

Being prepared to handle a
dental emergency can make
the difference between saving,
and losing a child's tooth, To
assist, the association offers
these timely tips for handling
the common summertime
dental emergencies.

These tooth ups are for
permanent (adult) teeth.
Consult’ vour dentist: abour
baby teeth.

To save
tooth:

@ if the tooth is clean, put it
back inte its socket. Get to the
dentist right away;

@ if the w .. is nor clean,
rinse gently with water and put
it back inte its socket. Get to
the dentist right away;.

B if the tooth can't be put
back, keep iz moist. Store it in
a container of cold milk if
available. If not, put it in tap
water. If neither is available,
have the child keep the tooth
inside his or her mouth. Get to
the dentist right away;

BM time is of the essence: If the
tooth is put back in place with-
in a reasonable time frame, it
has a fair chance of taking root
again.

To save a broken tooth:

3 gently clean any dirt from
the area with warm water;

B® put ice on the child’s face
near the tooth to keep the
swelling down;

Wi take the child to the dentist
ight away;

For a dislodged tooth:

@ do your best to keep the

a knocked-out

loose tooth in place and get to
the dentist right away;

For a bitten tongue or lip:
B apply direct pressure to the
bleeding area with a clean
cloth;

Bit che fp is swollen, use an
ice pack to keep the swelling
down;

Bit the bleeding doesn’t scop,
go to the nearest hospital
emergency department.

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

A healthy read

NORTH Van's David Henessey signed copies of his
book The Healthy Eater at Gold Bond Sooks in West
Vancouver on July 22. The book is about practical ways

to live a healthy life.

Sunday, July 30, 2000 —- North Shore News - 19

—- HEALTH ——————
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