Preventing mouth injuries

Young children stumble often and their teeth are located at a perfect heigh for crashing into the edge of a coffee table. So crashproof your toddler's cruising area. Take extraordinary care to make sure he doesn't have the opportunity to bite any electrical wires. (And while you're at it, make sure you cover all electrical wall sockets, to prevent shocks.) Don't let your child parade around the house with a toothbrush in her mouth. It may do serious damage if she falls.
The risks of dental injuries rises when children play sports. All too often, a child can be unintentionally kicked in the mouth, struck with a ball or hit by a bat. Children in organized sports generally need to wear a comfortable protective mouth guard, sort of a crash helmet for the teeth. Mouth guards are sold at sporting goods stores or pharmacies; or your child's dentist can make a custom-fitted mouth guard. Rough individual activities such as in-line skating, skateboarding and martial arts also call for mouth guards.