Sports are a great way to stay active, boosting both your physical and mental well-being; however, they also come along with some risks, particularly to your smile! Continue reading to learn about a few of the most common dental emergencies that athletes often sustain, along with some key advice for preventing these situations when possible.
Common Dental Injuries Among Athletes
Due to the high speeds and physical nature of many sports, athletes are often at a higher risk of suffering dental injury. Some of the most often sustained ones include:
- Chipped and Fractured Teeth – The extent of these injuries can range from minor chips and cracks to a lost portion of the crown of a tooth.
- Fractured Tooth Roots – Sometimes the teeth can become damaged beneath the gumline; when this happens, endodontic therapy may be needed.
- Tooth Loss – The trauma to a tooth may be so severe that it gets knocked out completely; in these cases, swift action is needed in order to save the tooth.
- Tooth Intrusion – This rarer type of dental injury occurs when a tooth is knocked back into the jawbone, rather than being forced out.
Preventing Dental Injuries as an Athlete
You don’t have to give up playing your sport to avoid dental injury – there are several precautions you can take that will protect your smile. However, the best piece of advice is to wear an athletic mouthguard anytime you take the field, even if your sport has minimal contact. These devices are designed to be worn over the teeth, and if a blow is struck to the mouth, the force can be redistributed across the whole appliance, rather than just the point of impact. This makes an injury like a fractured or displaced tooth far less likely to happen.
It’s also worth mentioning that a healthy smile is less likely to suffer an injury, so be sure to keep tabs on your teeth and gums while also brushing and flossing every single day. Decayed teeth are weaker, making them more likely to break, and compromised gum tissue means less support keeping your teeth in place. Routine preventive dental care is also crucial; plus, many dentists can also provide you with a custom-fitted mouthguard!
Remember, regardless of the nature of a dental injury, quick emergency care is always going to be the best course of action. That said, don’t let fear of dental disaster keep you from enjoying your sport or activity if you’re taking the right precautions!
About the Practice
The team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Muskegon has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Muskegon for several years. Under the talented leadership of Dr. Steven Rodriguez, Dr. Jeffrey Sevener, and Dr. Samuel Spraggins, they offer a wide range of services, including emergency dentistry for athletes with sudden injuries! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (231) 563-6878.