21 Sep 2026
Fall is a fantastic season for youth sports in Pelham and Fonthill. Between soccer pitches, running tracks, and hockey arenas, young athletes stay active and have fun. But high-energy sports always carry a risk of physical contact, which puts your smile at risk. Knowing how to handle a sports dental emergency before it happens is the key to a panic-free, effective response.
Parents should follow these three golden rules for sideline tooth safety.
Rule 1: Always Protect Before You Play
Prevention is better than emergency treatment! A custom athletic mouthguard is individually molded to your child’s bite. It stays in place while allowing normal breathing. A custom sports guard is key to protecting your child’s smile because it absorbs heavy impacts.
Rule 2: Keep Cold Milk in the Sideline Cooler
A knocked-out tooth can be scary, but you must act fast. Pick it up by the crown, and do not touch the roots. Rinse it using cold milk or saliva- never plain water. Then, submerge the tooth in a small container of cold milk or your child’s own spit to keep it alive as you travel to a clinic.
Rule 3: Separate Soft Tissue Cuts from Tooth Damage
Sports impacts often cause bleeding from cuts on the lips, tongue, or gums, along with tooth damage. Gently wipe your child’s mouth with clean gauze and press an ice pack wrapped in a towel against their outer cheek. Once bleeding slows down, inspect their teeth for chips, looseness, or gaps so you can describe the injury when calling the dental clinic.
Protect Your Athlete’s Smile All Season Long
A custom sports mouthguard and basic sideline first aid help your child stay smiling all sports season.
Emergency dental care in Fonthill. If your child experiences a dental emergency during sports, we’re here to help. We offer same-day care during our office hours. Call Fonthill Marketplace Dental at 905-892-0400 for immediate emergency care.
Critical Note for After-Hours Emergencies: Our practice treats emergencies during our normal hours. If your child suffers a knocked-out tooth or severe oral injury when we are closed, you must go to an after-hours urgent dental clinic immediately. Replanting a tooth within the first hour offers the highest chance of success!