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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.

🎉 In Part 1, our teen patient Riley Slater shared how fast, easy, and completely pain-free her appointment was — no numbing, no discomfort, just cool air and water. 😌💦
✨ Now in Part 2, she finds out why:
We used the revolutionary Solea Laser — no needles, no numbness, and zero pain. Her reaction?
"10,000% I’d do it again." 🙌
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we love seeing patients surprised by how comfortable dental care can be.

📍 Located in West LA, Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is proud to offer advanced solutions like the Solea Laser — a modern way to treat cavities without the sound of drills, the pinch of needles, or the stress of traditional methods.
Your child deserves stress-free, high-tech care in a warm, welcoming environment. Whether it's a first visit, fillings, or sealants, our goal is always the same: happy kids, healthy smiles.
📧 info@smilesla.com | 📞 (310) 837-6453

Experience the future of pediatric dentistry — right here in West LA.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryAndOrthodontics #WestLAPediatricDentist #TeenDentalCare #PainFreeDentistry #SealantsAndFillings #ModernDentalCare #ComfortFirst #HealthySmiles #PediatricLaserDentistry #SoleaLaserCare

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"💖✨ A beautiful reminder from our thoughtful Dr. Reem at Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics: when we care for teeth, we're caring for a vital part of our body! This understanding is at the very core of our gentle and respectful approach to pediatric dentistry. 🥰

Dr. Reem explains that when treating a tooth, whether it's a small cavity or something more, ""we are mechanically removing damaged parts."" While there are many clinical terms for this, she highlights the essential truth: ""we are in essence removing part of our body. So we have to be mindful about that."" This profound mindfulness guides every decision and action we take at our Los Angeles practice. It’s about treating each little tooth with the utmost care and respect it deserves. 🌟

This philosophy is especially important when working with children. We understand that dental visits can sometimes feel a bit daunting, and that's why Dr. Reem and our entire team are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and understanding environment. By being mindful of the delicate nature of our work and the trust you place in us, we strive to make every experience positive. We want your child to feel comfortable, respected, and empowered throughout their dental journey. It's not just about fixing teeth; it's about nurturing a healthy relationship with oral care that will last a lifetime. 😊

This mindful approach ensures we always consider the gentlest, most effective methods, minimizing discomfort and fostering a sense of calm. We believe that by treating each child with this level of care and consideration, we can help them build a foundation of fearless and positive dental experiences. 🤗

📞 Looking for a pediatric dental team in Los Angeles that approaches care with this level of mindfulness and respect? We invite you to experience the Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics difference!
Call us today at (310) 837-6453 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Reem. Let's care for those precious smiles together! 🦷💕

#DrReem #SmilesPediatricDentistry #MindfulDentistry #GentleCare #RespectfulTreatment #PediatricDentistLA #LosAngelesKids #LAParents #KidsDentalHealth #BodyMindSpirit #HolisticDentalCare #C

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Part 1 Riley Slater Dr. Reem ✨ Just finished 3 fillings and 5 sealants — all in under 45 minutes and with zero discomfort! 😮👏
Hear from our teen patient who walked out smiling and surprised at how fast and easy her visit was. 💬💙
💡 What she doesn’t know yet? There’s a reason she didn’t feel a thing — and you’ll find out in Part 2 with Riley Slater!
Stay tuned… 👀🦷

At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in West LA, we’re committed to providing a positive, pain-free dental experience for kids and teens — using advanced technology and gentle care.
From sealants to fillings, your child’s comfort comes first. Want to know how we make it so smooth that patients barely realize treatment has happened? You’ll want to catch Part 2!
📍Located in West LA
📧 info@smilesla.com | 📞 (310) 837-6453

#SmilesPediatricDentistryAndOrthodontics #WestLAPediatricDentist #TeenDentalCare #PainFreeDentistry #SealantsAndFillings #ModernDentalCare #ComfortFirst #HealthySmiles #PediatricLaserDentistry #SoleaLaserCare

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"Is my baby tongue-tied?" 👶💭 This question keeps so many new parents up at night!
👆 READ THE FULL BLOG + WATCH THE VIDEO TO LEARN:

Check the link here:👉 https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/tongue-tie-ankyloglossia-lip-tie-maxillary-labial-frenulum-infants-babies

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Reem Kabbarah (compassionate pediatric dentist + diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry) just dropped the ULTIMATE guide every parent needs!
🔥 What's inside: • 🧠 Anatomy breakdown: lingual vs labial frenulums •  Treatment deep-dive: frenotomy vs frenectomy vs frenuloplasty • 🤝 When to call in the dream team (lactation consultants!) • ⚠️ When surgery ISN'T always  answer

💡 Plot twist: This isn't one-size-fits-all - every baby's situation is unique.

Dr. Reem at Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in West LA,  combines trusted care with science-backed prevention — from your baby’s first visit to teen orthodontics. Let us help you raise a cavity-free kid with care that’s modern, gentle, and focused on long-term health.
📧 info@smilesla.com | 📞 (310) 837-6453

#TongueTie #LipTie #Breastfeeding #PediatricDentistry #NewParents #BabyHealth #LactationSupport #ParentingTips #MomLife #DadLife #BreastfeedingSupport #PediatricDentist #NewMom #NewDad #BabyTips #smilespediatricdentistryandorthodontics #westlapediatricdentist #weslapediatricorthodontist #drreem #drreemkabbarah

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