We need guardians of the tooth Alex Slobodian won't get back on his scooter without a mouthguard. Picture: Tricia Watkinson Source: The Advertiser ALEX Slobodian shattered his two front teeth in a skate park fall and now refuses to get back on his scooter without a mouthguard. The nine year old endured three hours of emergency surgery to reconstruct his upper front adult teeth. His mother, Luda Boujenko, of Prospect, said her son fell while attempting to dodge another rider. "He also loves to watch YouTube videos of professional riders, but none of his idols wear mouthguards, so I never thought to get one made," she said. Alex has always worn knee and shoulder pads and a helmet to prevent injury - but never a mouthguard, which he is getting made. Now he, his mum and the Australian Dental Association SA are calling on all children to wear mouthguards while participating in any sport which has a risk of injury. State president Dr Jack Gaffey said most serious dental and facial injuries he saw occurred in children and teenagers resulted in falls from skateboards, scooters, bikes and play equipment. "Such injuries can be incredibly painful for the patient and may require a lifetime of ongoing treatment," he said. Dr Gaffey said there was a misconception mouthguards were only required during organised team sports. If you require a helmet, knee pads or elbow pads to participate in a certain activity, a mouthguard should also be non-negotiable.