Sports and other athletic activities can be excellent ways to get exercise, have fun, and develop important life skills like teamwork, but athletes can be especially likely to develop certain dental injuries if they are not careful. Thankfully, these issues can usually be prevented with the proper precautions and your emergency dentist will be happy to help if you damage a tooth. Here’s a quick look at how athletes can develop oral injuries, how this can be prevented, and how your dentist can address these issues.
Which Oral Injuries Are Athletes Especially Susceptible To?
Due to how many athletic events involve fast movement, rapid exchanges of energy, hard floors, and flying objects, athletes can be particularly likely to develop oral injuries like:
- Chips: Breaking off a piece of enamel can cause pain and sensitivity and leave the tooth more vulnerable to infection and further injury.
- Cracks: Dental cracks can expose the inner tissues of the tooth to harmful agents, and a crack that reaches beneath the gumline may make extraction necessary.
- Dislodged or partially extruded teeth: Teeth that are fully or partially knocked out of their sockets are at immediate risk for permanent loss and require immediate attention from an emergency dentist.
- Biting of the tongue or cheeks: Oral wounds that don’t stop bleeding after several minutes of applied pressure may require stitches.
In most cases, injuries like these can be prevented by practicing excellent oral hygiene and wearing an appropriate protective device such as a sportsguard.
How Can My Emergency Dentist Help?
If you suffer a dental injury while playing sports, please secure any pieces of the tooth that may have separated from the mouth and place them in a clean sturdy container. If a complete tooth has been knocked out, take care to never touch the exposed root or treat it with soap or other harsh cleaning agents. Instead, rinse it by gently swishing it about in a bowl of lukewarm water. Then, store it by gently placing it back in its socket or in the lip or in a vessel with a small amount of milk or saliva.
When the tooth or enamel chips are secured, contact your emergency dentist’s office to explain the problem and let them know you are coming. Then, bring the dislodged teeth or pieces of teeth to their office. After a brief exam, they may recommend restorative treatments like crowns, bridges, dental implants, veneers, or root canals.
Don’t let a dental emergency catch you unprepared to handle it. Knowing when to seek help from an emergency dentist can help you preserve your comfort and your oral health for life.
About the Practice
Lexington Smile Studio offers the finest oral healthcare in town. Led by Drs. William Negreiros and Mario Gatti, the staff treats each patient with compassion and courtesy in a warm and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include prosthodontics as well as general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (781) 861-7645. For non-urgent inquiries, please contact the office online.
