Chandler is a sports town. Between Hamilton High's nationally ranked programs, Basha High's competitive athletics, Chandler High's football legacy, and the year-round rec leagues and travel teams running through Snedigar Sportsplex and Tumbleweed Park, thousands of local students compete in organized sports every season. What most parents and coaches don't realize is how directly athletic activity affects dental health, and how a few simple habits can prevent injuries that sideline athletes for weeks.
At Fountains Dental Care, we treat Chandler athletes of all ages. We've seen the cracked teeth from basketball elbows, the knocked-out teeth from baseball impacts, and the dehydration-related dental problems that come with training in Arizona's 110-degree summers. This guide covers what every Chandler parent, coach, and student athlete should know about protecting their smile while staying competitive.
The numbers are significant. The American Dental Association estimates that athletes who don't wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer dental injuries. Dental injuries account for roughly a third of all sports-related injuries in school-age children, and a knocked-out permanent tooth that isn't reimplanted within 30 minutes is likely lost for good.
Contact sports like football, basketball, lacrosse, and wrestling carry the most obvious risk. But dental injuries also happen in non-contact activities. A fall during cross-country, a collision during soccer, an elbow during a volleyball dig, or a stray ball during baseball practice can all result in chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth. Chandler's youth sports programs span every one of these activities, which means dental injury risk is a year-round concern.
A properly fitted mouthguard is the single most effective way to prevent dental injuries during sports. It absorbs and distributes impact force across the entire jaw rather than concentrating it on a single tooth. Mouthguards also protect against jaw fractures, lip and cheek lacerations, and concussions by cushioning the lower jaw's impact against the upper jaw.
Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and sold at sporting goods stores. They're inexpensive but offer the least protection because they don't conform to your teeth. Most athletes find them bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to breathe or speak through, which means they end up in the equipment bag instead of in the mouth.
Boil-and-bite mouthguards are heated in water and then molded to the teeth by biting down. They offer better fit than stock guards and are available at most sporting goods stores for $15 to $30. These are a solid middle-ground option for recreational athletes.
Custom-fitted mouthguards are made by your dentist from an impression of your teeth. They provide the best fit, the most protection, and the greatest comfort because they're designed specifically for your mouth. Athletes who wear custom guards are more likely to actually keep them in during play because they don't interfere with breathing or communication. Ask our team at Fountains Dental Care about custom mouthguards for your student athlete.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) mandates mouthguards for football, lacrosse, and field hockey. But the ADA recommends mouthguards for 29 sports and activities, including basketball, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, skateboarding, and martial arts. If there's any chance of contact with another player, a ball, or a hard surface, a mouthguard should be part of the uniform.
Every coach, athletic trainer, and parent on the sideline should know the basics of dental emergency response. The difference between saving and losing a permanent tooth often comes down to what happens in the first 30 minutes after the injury.
Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), never the root. Rinse it gently with water if it's dirty, but don't scrub it or remove any tissue fragments. If possible, place it back in the socket and have the athlete hold it in place by gently biting on a clean cloth. If reimplanting isn't possible, store the tooth in milk, saline solution, or the athlete's own saliva. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes. Call Fountains Dental Care at (480) 222-8083 immediately.
Rinse the mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces. If there's bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze. Avoid chewing on that side and contact our office for an emergency appointment.
If the athlete can't close their mouth normally, has severe jaw pain, or you suspect a jaw fracture, go to the emergency room first. Follow up with our dental office afterward to assess damage to teeth and alignment.
Cuts to the lips, tongue, or cheeks from impact are common in contact sports. Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding. If bleeding doesn't stop within 15 to 20 minutes, seek medical attention. Most soft tissue injuries heal on their own, but deep cuts may need evaluation.
This is where Chandler athletes face a unique challenge. Training and competing in temperatures that regularly exceed 100 degrees from May through October creates conditions that directly affect dental health in ways most families don't consider.
Dehydration reduces saliva production. Saliva is your mouth's natural defense system. It washes away food particles, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, and helps prevent cavities. When athletes are dehydrated, saliva flow drops, and the protective effect diminishes. This is why athletes who train heavily in hot climates often develop more cavities than their peers, even with good brushing habits.
Sports drinks are a double problem. Gatorade, Powerade, and similar beverages contain high levels of sugar and citric acid that erode tooth enamel with repeated exposure. Athletes who sip sports drinks throughout a practice or game are essentially bathing their teeth in acid for hours. Water should be the primary hydration source. If sports drinks are necessary for electrolyte replacement during extended activity, rinse with water afterward and avoid sipping slowly over long periods.
Arizona's hard water contributes to tartar buildup. The mineral content in Chandler's water supply can accelerate tartar formation on teeth, which makes regular professional cleanings even more important for active athletes.
Between practice schedules, game days, travel tournaments, and the academic calendar, finding time for dental appointments can feel impossible for student athletes. Here's how to make it work.
Schedule cleanings during the off-season or preseason. Most sports have a natural break between seasons. Use that window for routine checkups and cleanings. If your athlete plays year-round sports, schedule appointments during lighter training weeks rather than peak competition periods.
Get the mouthguard fitted early. Custom mouthguards take about a week to fabricate. Don't wait until the first game. Schedule the fitting during preseason physicals so the guard is ready before the first practice.
Don't delay treatment. A small cavity that could have been filled in 30 minutes during the off-season becomes a root canal that takes two appointments during playoffs if you wait. Staying on top of preventive care prevents emergencies that happen at the worst possible time.
Fountains Dental Care offers appointments Monday through Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 8am to 1pm. Call (480) 222-8083 to find a time that works around your athlete's schedule.
Every team's first aid kit should include dental emergency supplies. Most don't. Here's what to add:
A small container with a lid for storing a knocked-out tooth (a clean contact lens case works well). A bottle of whole milk or saline solution for tooth preservation. Gauze pads for controlling bleeding. A cold pack for reducing swelling. The phone number for a dentist who handles emergencies. For Chandler teams, that number is (480) 222-8083 at Fountains Dental Care.
Student athletes with braces or Invisalign face additional considerations. A blow to the mouth with braces can cause brackets to break, wires to cut soft tissue, and significant damage to both the orthodontic appliance and the underlying teeth.
Athletes with braces should always wear an orthodontic mouthguard, which is designed to fit over brackets and wires while still providing protection. Standard mouthguards won't fit properly over braces and can actually cause more damage during an impact. Invisalign users should remove their aligners during contact sports and wear a standard mouthguard instead. Replace the aligners after the game or practice.
A dental injury can keep a student athlete off the field longer than a sprained ankle. A knocked-out permanent tooth is permanent. And the dental problems caused by dehydration, sports drinks, and skipped appointments compound over an entire athletic career.
At Fountains Dental Care, our dentists Dr. Eric Kerbs, Dr. Nick Mellum, and Dr. Julie Do have the experience and the advanced technology to treat athletic dental injuries quickly and effectively. We serve families from across Chandler, including Ocotillo, Fulton Ranch, Sun Lakes, Arden Park, Gilbert, and Mesa.
Whether your athlete needs a custom mouthguard, a preseason checkup, or emergency care after an on-field injury, schedule an appointment today or call (480) 222-8083. Prevention is always easier than repair.
