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Sports Dentistry · 

Sports Dentistry · 

Sports Dentistry · 

Sports Dentistry · 

Sports Dentistry · 

Welcome to the world of Sports Dentistry, where oral well-being meets athletic excitement! As parents, we cheer from the sidelines, celebrating every goal, touchdown and achievement but also hope our kids can avoid falls, bumps and bruises. Protective gear is essential for promoting an atmosphere of athletic well-being. When kids feel safe, they can play with confidence. When parents know that their precious athlete is safeguarded, they can relax and focus on enjoying their child’s sports experience.

According to the World Dental Federation (FDI), Sports medicine contributes to healthier athletes and better performance. The FDI recognizes Sports Dentistry as a key element of Sports Medicine and supports its role in the prevention and management of sports-related orofacial injuries and associated oral diseases. Smiles promotes athletic safety and encourages coaches to consider mouthguards a team requirement to protect the health of all athletes.

Sports Dentistry and Dental Health:

Studies have demonstrated the link between dental health and athletic performance. Young athletes who are dealing with dental challenges are fatigued and have slower recovery time. Dental well-being isn’t just about a beautiful smile. It is about keeping our young athletes at their very best and about protecting their growing smiles.

The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) recently issued a series of guidelines for prevention of traumatic dental injuries in youth sports. These guidelines highlight the key role that dental professionals can play in dental trauma prevention in terms of offering guidance on safety measures and providing skilled emergency care when needed. They also outline the criteria for ideal, custom mouthguard fabrication in terms of design and function.

If an athlete is involved in dental trauma, it is important to educate them and their family about taking some time off to allow proper healing, to advise on the need for future protection of any vulnerable teeth and to clarify the time when sports participation can be resumed.

Protecting Growing Smiles:

At Smiles, we are dedicated to honoring dental health. Injuries like tooth fractures, avulsions, maxillofacial injuries and even concussions are preventable with the use of a powerful game-changer: a custom fitted mouthguard. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), athletes are 60 times more likely to experience dental injuries when not wearing a protective mouthguard.

We support the use of dental protection whether the type of mouthguard is a stock, boil-and-bite, custom fitted or instrumented mouthguard. Athletes play best when they are comfortable and able to communicate clearly. An adapted mouthguard that does not fall out or move around in the athlete’s mouth is ideal. Instrumented mouthguards such as the Orb system are equipped with sensors that track an athletes performance and have been shown to improve athletic endurance.

A healthy team is a strong team! When the entire team wears their mouthguards, it becomes a routine that everyone can follow. Our in-house mouthguards are 3D printed using the latest dental printing technologies. They are designed, fabricated and reproduced digitally using a digital impression (an oral scan).

Partnering for Smiles:

At Smiles, we are your team’s biggest fans! We are here to support healthy, safe and confident athletes. From Custom fit mouthguard to emergency dental care, we are ready to support your young athlete play in joy and comfort. We are also committed to educating our athletes, their parents and coaches on the topic of Sports Dentistry to ensure that everyone understands its importance and relevance in today’s world. We are available to partner with teams to help promote the benefits of mouthguards and have sponsored several of our Smiles Champion’s teams over the years. Our team continues to collaborate with youth athletes to foster dental wellness.

Conner, an athlete who plays baseball, shares why he loves to keep coming back to Smiles.

The Smiles Tips for athlete dental well-being:

Hover or tap to reveal steps

1
Schedule regular dental well-being check ups.

 

2
Outfit your young athlete with a comfortable custom mouthguard that is checked for its fit at routine dental visits.

 

 

3
Teach proper mouthguard care: Clean, store in its case, maintain.

 

 

4
Safety first: Review safety practices and protective gear wear.

 

 

 

5
Be ready if bumps and falls occur: Have a first aid kit near by to address minor issues.

 

 

6
Have a game plan in case of a dental bump: Collaborate with your team on how to handle emergencies and keep our office info handy!

1
Schedule regular dental well-being check ups.

 

2
Outfit your young athlete with a comfortable custom mouthguard that is checked for its fit at routine dental visits.

 

 

3
Teach proper mouthguard care: Clean, store in its case, maintain.

 

 

4
Safety first: Review safety practices and protective gear wear.

 

 

 

5
Be ready if bumps and falls occur: Have a first aid kit near by to address minor issues.

 

 

6
Have a game plan in case of a dental bump: Collaborate with your team on how to handle emergencies and keep our office info handy!

FAQ for Sports Dentistry:

How is a custom mouthguard made for my child?

The process of creating a custom mouthguard starts with a digital impression (an oral scan) of your child’s mouth. This is a comfortable experience that takes less than five minutes to complete. Once we have the digital data, we can begin designing the appliance in our CAD/CAM suite. We use more than one dental software to create the best fit for your child’s guard. We will then 3D print the appliance using our digital printing units or thermoform it over a 3D printed model of your child’s teeth.

How long with a custom mouthguard last?

Young athlete and their dentition are actively growing. Custom mouthguards need to be checked at every six month visit to ensure proper fit and function. If the fit has been altered, the mouthguard will need replacing. However, the process of doing so is streamlined and simple.

What is the mouthguard made out of?

The mouthguard is made out of an FDA approved resin that is fully cured outside of the mouth. Our SprintRay printing units are highly accurate and precise. Their ecosystem of compatible resins and curing units make the fabrication process a breeze.

Will you still check my child’s boil-and-bite mouthguard?

Our mission is to keep our young athletes safe! We are more than happy to check any mouthguard that your child is willing to wear.

What should I do if my child gets a tooth bumped on the field?

It is a great idea to have a prepared first aid kit at sporting events. These kits can be stocked with instant icepacks, gauze, wraps and bandaids for quick access. Use a clean wet cloth to stop any bleeding and assess the area. Check for loose teeth, displaced teeth and check to see if you can find the pieces of any fractured teeth in the area. These can be bonded back on, so please keep them! Place an instant ice pack on any soft tissues that are starting to swell and call our office to arrange follow up.

What should I do if my child’s baby tooth get knocked out?

Account for the knocked out baby tooth and keep it so that we can examine it. Knocked out baby teeth are not typically replanted as the body tends to consider them foreign objects and will expel them over time. Depending on the development of the replacement, permanent tooth, restorative solutions can be offered if they are needed. Most kids playing sports are in the mixed dentition phase and their primary teeth are actively being switched out for permanent ones. If you suspect any head trauma or your child feels unwell, head to the nearest emergency room for comprehensive evaluation.

What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth gets knocked out?

For any permanent teeth that are dislodged or knocked out, the best course of action is to place the tooth right back in its socket. Try not to handle the root and hold the tooth by it’s crown placing it back in its original location. Don’t worry about a perfect fit. Milk is the next best storage medium for avulsed teeth. As a third option, there are commercial tooth preservation kits like the “Save-A-Tooth” preservation kit. This is a small container filled with preserving saline to store a knocked out tooth in safely until it is replanted. It is important to never leave an avulsed tooth dry because this will reduce it’s chances of a successful replantation.

If you suspect any head trauma or your child feels unwell, head to the nearest emergency room for comprehensive evaluation. Please note that permanent tooth avulsions are very time sensitive. The first hour post avulsion is the most critical when it comes to the success of replantation.

Why do some kids suddenly look like they have shark teeth? 🦈🦷

Sometimes permanent teeth begin growing in before baby teeth fall out. For a short period, this can create two rows of teeth. It may look surprising, but many times this phase is temporary and self-correcting as normal growth continues.

Noticing this stage often brings questions. Learning how smiles naturally develop can bring reassurance 📘

If you have questions about your child’s dental development, our team is happy to help.

Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com

Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Gentle education. Caring guidance. Smiles supported every step 🌱

#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SharkTeeth #ExtraTeeth #ToothDevelopment #BabyTeeth

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💛 Part 5 of 5 — At Smiles we celebrate every moment 🌼
Melissa says “Barbie,” and Dr. Reem responds with joy, gratitude, and encouragement. A simple exchange becomes something meaningful. Gentle praise. A warm thank you. A hug offered with care. Even noticing Melissa’s yellow outfit turns into connection. This moment reflects how kindness and patience shape a welcoming dental experience, where children feel seen and celebrated.
Moments like these remind us how powerful gentle care dentistry can be. What stood out to you in this moment? 💬🌸
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453 | 📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Gentle voices. Loving care. Smiles celebrated every step of the way 😊💛
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpecialNeedsDentistry #GentleCare #CelebratingSmiles

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💛 Part 4 of 5 — Support that extends beyond the dental chair 🌼
Nicole, Melissa’s caregiver, shares what makes Smiles feel so special. Every visit feels patient, kind, and deeply understanding of Melissa’s needs. The team gently shows how to guide and prompt her during care. Those lessons matter. Nicole brings what she learns into daily routines, helping Melissa feel more confident and comfortable at home. That shared support creates something truly beautiful.
Care feels lighter when support is shared. What kind of support matters most to you? 😊
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453 | 📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Gentle guidance. Loving care. Smiles supported together 😊🌼
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpecialNeedsDentistry #GentleDentalCare

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😊🦷Did you know some children are born with extra tooth buds?
Sometimes, extra tooth buds form before birth and can create additional teeth. This happens when the dental tissue that forms teeth divides or develops differently very early in pregnancy. In some children, this process creates more tooth buds than usual, which may lead to extra baby teeth, extra permanent teeth, or both. Genetics can also play a role, and this variation occurs naturally during dental development.
Every smile develops in its own unique way, and these differences are part of normal dental growth. With thoughtful monitoring and gentle care, our team can guide healthy development as a child grows.
Curious about how smiles grow and change over time? Share your questions below 💬🌼
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Gentle education. Caring guidance. Smiles supported every step 😊💛
#SupernumeraryTeeth#ToothBuds #SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #GentleDentistry #DentalEducation

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💛 Part 3 of 5 — When hope finally replaces years of worry 😊🌸
Cheryl shares how years of challenges left her feeling discouraged. One phone call changed everything. Dr. Reem personally called her back and took time to talk through what was possible. Together, they created a plan that included care under anesthesia when needed, followed by ongoing support designed to help avoid repeating it. Through patience, trust, and thoughtful planning rooted in special needs dentistry, Melissa has continued care successfully. What once felt overwhelming now feels almost miraculous.
Have you ever felt relief after finally being heard by a provider? Share your story below 💬💛
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453 | 📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Gentle conversations. Caring plans. Smiles built on trust 😊🌼
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpecialNeedsDentistry #GentleCare #SupportiveSmiles

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💛 Part 2 of 5 — What if special needs dentistry actually planned for your child? 😊
Cheryl shares how Smiles offered something she never expected. One familiar dental team could support Melissa’s regular visits while also preparing for more complex care. Extra time, clear communication, and emotional understanding mattered. For children with developmental disabilities, anxiety around dental care feels real. Smiles approached every visit with patience, intention, and preparation rooted in special needs dentistry.
Would thoughtful planning and extra time make dental visits easier for your child? Share below 💬🌼
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 (310) 837-6453 | 📧 info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Gentle care. Loving support. Smiles that feel safe 🌸😊
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpecialNeedsDentistry #GentleCare #SupportiveSmiles

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🥰😁Our founder, Dr. Reem, says “Anyone can print.”
Create. Print. Smile.
Inside the Smiles dental home, next-generation 3D printing supports pediatric dental care in thoughtful ways. Dr. Reem designs and prints teeth, custom mouth guards, bridges, and SmileKeeper™, her newly launched metal-free space maintainer for kids. Everything is created in-house, guided by creativity, care, and a gentle approach.
To learn more about care shaped by creativity and heart, contact our office 😊
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Create with care. Print with purpose. Smile with confidence 😊💛
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SmileKeeper #3DPrinting 
@sprintray

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3 1
💛Part 1 of 5 Searching for special needs dentistry shouldn’t feel overwhelming.
This is part one of a (5) part story shared by Cherly a loving  a mother who spent years searching for special needs dentistry that truly understood her daughter. After exploring options across West Los Angeles, she discovered Smiles online and felt something different right away. Her child needed extra patience, gentle care, and a team willing to meet her exactly where she was. That discovery marked the beginning of a dental experience built around comfort, trust, and compassion.
Have you ever searched for special needs dentistry that actually felt right for your family? Share your experience below 💬
If your child needs special  dentistry delivered with patience and heart, contact our office today 🤍
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
📞 Phone: (310) 837-6453
📧 Email: info@smilesla.com
📍 Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Gentle hands. Open hearts. Supportive smiles for every child.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpecialNeedsDentistry #GentleDentistry #FamilyCare #InclusiveSmiles

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