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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.

💖 Hey Los Angeles families! Ever stop to think about just how special those little teeth are? Our very own Dr. Reem is sharing a beautiful reminder about the significance of our pearly whites and why mindful, gentle care is SO important, especially for our youngest patients! ✨ As Dr. Reem thoughtfully explains, ""Teeth are part of our body... a very special, special part... because they're in our mouth, they're in our face."" 🥰 This isn't something to be taken lightly, particularly when we're caring for children. When any dental treatment is needed, even to address a small cavity, we are ""mechanically removing damaged parts."" This perspective is at the heart of everything we do! 🌟 At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, this deep understanding guides our entire approach. We recognize that dental care for children goes far beyond just fixing teeth. It's about nurturing trust, ensuring comfort, and creating positive experiences that will shape their view of dentistry for a lifetime. 🤗 We treat each child with the utmost respect and gentleness, acknowledging the delicate nature of our work and the importance of their overall well-being. We use child-friendly language, explain procedures in an age-appropriate way, and ensure both you and your little one feel heard and comfortable every step of the way. Our goal is not just healthy smiles, but happy, confident little patients! 😊 This mindful approach means we're always considering the gentlest, most effective ways to provide care, minimizing discomfort and anxiety. 📞 If you're looking for a pediatric dental team in Los Angeles that truly cherishes and prioritizes your child's unique needs with a mindful and caring touch, we invite you to call Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Let's build a foundation of positive dental health together! (310) 837-6453 🦷💕 We can't wait to welcome your family!

 #DrReem #SmilesPediatricDentistry #MindfulDentistry #PediatricCare #LosAngelesKids #LAParents #GentleDentalCareLA #ChildFriendlyDentist #HolisticApproach #KidsTeeth #DentalWellness #CulverCityMoms #LAkidsDental #SpecialCareForKids #CallUsToday"

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👋✨ Hello Los Angeles!
We’re beyond excited to introduce the amazing heart and smile behind Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics – our very own Dr. Reem Kabbarah (or as we all call her, Dr. Reem!) 💖

Not only is she a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and USC faculty member 🎓, but she also runs a thriving private practice right here in West LA — all driven by her passion for creating gentle, positive dental experiences for kids. 💫

Today, Dr. Reem is thrilled to share something truly exciting: the Solea® laser! 🚀
She calls it “a revolutionary instrument in pediatric dentistry” — and we couldn’t agree more!

So what makes it so special?
✨ Many treatments don’t need numbing
✨ Shorter, quieter visits
✨ Less anxiety
✨ More comfort
✨ Happier little smiles walking out our door 😄

From fillings to soft tissue procedures, the Solea laser helps us treat your child with unmatched precision and gentleness. It's a game-changer for little ones who may feel nervous about dental visits — helping build trust and healthy habits that last a lifetime. 🤗

At Smiles, we believe in compassion, innovation, and creating joyful dental memories. Dr. Reem’s commitment to advanced care like Solea reflects our mission to offer the best, most comforting experience possible.

🌟 Ready for your child to experience the future of pediatric dentistry with Dr. Reem and our caring team?

📞 Call us today at (310) 837-6453 to schedule or learn more!
We can't wait to welcome you to our dental family! 💕🦷

#DrReem #SmilesPediatricDentistry #MeetTheDentist #PediatricDentistLA #SoleaLaser #RevolutionaryDentistry #LAParents #USCDentistry #GentleDentalCare #AdvancedTechnology #HealthySmilesHappyKids #WestLADentist #CulverCityKids #AnxietyFreeDentistry #CallUsToday

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USC Pediatric Residents + Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics = A perfect combo for fun and surprises! 😄🎉
We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming future pediatric dentists from USC into our practice — and they brought the energy, compassion, and curiosity that make this field so special! 🦷💫
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in West LA, we believe learning should be hands-on, joyful, and filled with smiles — whether you're a student, a patient, or a parent. Our team loves mentoring the next generation of dental professionals while creating a warm, uplifting space for families.
📞 Want your child to experience compassionate, forward-thinking care in a place that inspires future dentists too?
Call (310) 837-6453 to schedule your visit today!
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#USCDentistry, #USCPediatricResidents, #FutureDentists, #PediatricDentistry, #WestLA, #SmilesPediatricDentistry, #DentalMentorship, #HandsOnLearning, #PediatricDentalCare, #FamilyDentistWestLA, #KidsDentistLA, #DentalEducation, #MentoringFutureDentists, #CompassionateDentalCare, #ModernPediatricDentistry

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Besties get tooth glam at Smiles! ✨🦷
Chloe Alivia (@chloealivia8073) came in with her bestie Izzy (Dr. Reem’s daughter!) — and got an amazing  smile sparkle from Dr. Reem herself 💫
Mom Adora (@jercha385) joined for the visit too, making it a full heart, full smile kind of day 💖
We’re all about turning dental care into a confident, joyful experience — especially when it’s shared with friends ✨
📞 Want your child to experience personalized, tech-forward care in a warm, family-friendly space?
Call (310) 837-6453 or DM us to schedule your visit with Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in West LA.
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#SmilesPediatricDentistryAndOrthodontics #WestLA #PediatricDentistLA #KidsDentalCare #FamilyDentistWestLA #ChloeAlivia #ToothGlam #ModernPediatricDentistry

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