Aussie Rules rookie has rookie error by not wearing mouthguard

Carlton youngster Paddy Dow. Photo / Fox Sports

AFL rookie Paddy Dow impressed in his pre-season debut for Carlton last night but he learned a valuable lesson – always wear your mouthguard.

Dow had an embarrassing moment after his side's 22 point-win over St Kilda, having to explain to viewers why he lost a tooth during the game.

"I was on the boundary and I just wasn't looking… took a shoulder to my mouth and knocked my tooth out," he told Fox Sports.

"Where was the mouthguard?" the interviewer asked.

"Yeah, it was in my sock," Dow admitted sheepishly.

Despite the missing tooth the No.3 selection from last year's AFL Draft had a strong outing, picking up 13 disposals and booting two goals.