How Can Parents Prevent Kids Dental Injuries in Cricket?

Cricket is more than a sport in Tamil Nadu, it's practically a rite of passage. Parents watch for sprains and fractures on the field, but one risk often slips by unnoticed: kids dental injuries in cricket.

A fast ball or mistimed shot can turn practice into an emergency, and most kids play without any mouth protection at all.

The Numbers Parents Don't Usually See

The numbers above make one thing clear: cricket carries real dental risk. It's one of the sports where dentists strongly recommend a mouthguard, alongside hockey, boxing, and martial arts.

Most parents assume match day is the real risk. But practice is often when gear gets skipped, and that's part of why fractures happen so often.

Why Cricket Puts Teeth at Risk ?

Fast bowling gives little reaction time for the face. Close in fielding positions like silly point, short leg, and slip leave minimal time to react to a firm shot. Wicketkeepers face repeated fast deliveries, often with no facial protection. Bat swings and collisions can happen during play or practice too.

Cricket isn't classified as a "contact sport," so mouthguards rarely make it into the kit bag, even though the injury risk is comparable to sports that require one.

Who's Most at Risk

1. Wicketkeepers
2. Close-in fielders
3. Batters facing fast bowling without a full-face grille
4. Young or beginner players, still developing reaction time

The Gear Gap Most Parents Miss

• No mouthguard, as schools or clubs rarely require one
• Helmets used only for batting, not close-in fielding
• Practice treated as "low risk," despite real injuries happening there
• Many kids do not know the risk or that a knocked out permanent tooth may sometimes be saved

If an Injury Happens During a Match

The first few minutes matter most, especially for permanent teeth. Full first aid steps are in our guide: The First Few Minutes Matter Most With a Knocked Out Tooth in Kids. Worth bookmarking before the season starts.

ToothSOS App

For emergency steps on knocked out, loose, or fractured teeth, the free ToothSOS app from the International Association of Dental Traumatology is a handy resource to keep on hand before reaching a dentist.

Download ToothSOS

iPhone/iPad: Apple App Store

Android: Google Play

Building a Pre Season Habit

Get a custom fitted mouthguard and a quick pre season dental check, simple steps that help prevent kids dental injuries in cricket. For more guidance on choosing and using mouthguards for young athletes, read our guide to Sports Dentistry: Protecting Your Child's Teeth During Athletic Activities. Teach your child to report any mouth hit right away, even minor ones.