Dental Injuries in Sports and How to Prevent Them
Every year, traumatic dental injuries affect around 15 million Americans, as stated by the American Dental Assistants’ Association. Athletics account for about a third of
these injuries. This leads to the loss of over five million teeth annually. It highlights the importance of “sports dental injury prevention”.
Engaging in high-contact sports exposes your body to potential hazards. Your teeth and gums, in particular, are vulnerable. On average, 1 in 10 people who play sports face
the risk of facial and dental injury. Protecting yourself when engaging in these activities is crucial.
Remember, safety should always be your priority. These sorts of traumatic injuries can result in:
- Chipping, cracking, or loss of the whole tooth
- Excruciating pain and hypersensitivity
- Gum swelling
- Tooth discoloration
- Limited mouth mobility
High-contact sports can lead to dental trauma. When this happens, immediate emergency dental care is crucial.
The pain can be intense, but what’s worse is that many of these injuries are avoidable. Not wearing a mouthguard during sports raises the chance of dental injuries, says the
American Dental Association. In fact, dental injuries increase by 60 times. However, approximately 84% of young sportspeople do not utilize these gadgets.
Preventing “dental trauma in high-contact sports” is possible with the right precautions. One of the effective “orthodontic treatment options” is using a sports occlusal
guard. A simple step can make a significant difference in protecting athletes from dental injuries.
Read on to understand sports-related dental injuries, learn prevention methods, and find reliable help to prevent them.
Not wearing a mouthguard can lead to many dental injuries. Here are some of the most common suffered in sports:
-
Cracked/chipped tooth
: Often results from unexpected blows to the face. This can cause sharp pain, erode pieces of enamel, and expose the nerves, roots, and pulp.
-
Tooth intrusion
: This occurs when a tooth is partially driven into the bone. Can cause displacement, painful nerve pressure, bleeding, and in some cases, necrotic infection.
-
Tooth avulsion
: Complete dislodgement and displacement of teeth. May cause severe pain, lacerated bleeding, disorientation, and infection.
-
Fractured root
: Trauma to the dental roots. Usually not visible, though you may notice pain when biting, a draining sinus tract that looks like an ulcer, or subtle cracks in the enamel.
If you suffer an injury, seek immediate emergency care. An endodontist, a specialist in these injuries, will provide the care. This care could involve a root canal treatment,
reattachment, or stabilization with a splint. They might also suggest replacement implants, prescribe medication, or recommend additional surgical procedures if necessary.
Remember, maintaining your oral health is crucial, especially when wearing braces and Invisalign. Lingual braces, in particular, require special attention. Including these
keywords in your daily oral health routine can help prevent such injuries.
Avoid delaying if you have a displaced tooth. If you wait too long, root resorption or irritation may occur, making it impossible to reattach the tooth. You can prevent these
traumatic dental injuries.
How? By taking one simple step: wear a mouthguard. This step helps avoid facial trauma and protects your permanent teeth. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.
