Participating in sports and physical activities offers many physical and mental benefits, but it also comes with potential risks, including dental injuries. Athletes, both amateur and professional, often face dental emergencies that can be painful and require immediate attention.
If you’re curious about what dental injuries athletes face most often, continue reading. This guide will explore the three most common dental emergencies and provide information about first-aid actions you can take until you see a dentist.
1. Cracks and Chips
One of the most frequent dental injuries athletes are prone to are cracks and chips. These most often happen during contact sports like football, hockey, and martial arts, as well as accidental falls in other activities. A direct blow to the mouth or face can result in a broken or chipped tooth, causing pain and aesthetic concerns.
First Aid Action: If a tooth is fractured or chipped, save any broken pieces and rinse the mouth with warm salty water. You can also place some dental wax or sugar-free gum over the tooth to keep it from cutting gums, lips, or teeth.
2. Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a severe dental emergency and can occur in high-impact sports. The immediate danger is failed reimplantation. You have approximately 30 minutes to get the tooth back into its socket and secured before the odds of saving it decrease significantly.
First Aid Action: Hold the tooth by the top and rinse it with water to clean it. If you can, push the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place by gently biting down. Otherwise, place the tooth in a container of water or milk to preserve it while you make a trip to the dentist.
3. Dental Intrusion
Dental intrusion is when a tooth is pushed into the jawbone due to a powerful impact. These types of injuries are far more common in high-speed sports such as BMX racing or skateboarding because of the lack of a face mask on their helmets and the high speeds they travel.
First Aid Action: Rinse your mouth with warm salty water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Intrusions shouldn’t be touched as the roots may have been affected by the impact. Avoid any chewing until you can see the dentist, even if you must modify your diet.
How Can I Prevent These Injuries?
The most important piece of information to take away from this guide is the importance of a mouthguard for preventing sports-related injuries. There are many types of mouthguards available in sporting goods stores that will significantly reduce the odds of these types of dental emergencies.
If you or someone you know is impacted by a dental emergency, contact your dentist for a same-day emergency appointment. In any dental emergency, every second counts.
About the Practice
Dr. Brandon D. Rensch and Dr. Christine DiBlasi Laster are your dental experts at Connection Dentistry – Drs. Rensch and Laster. With their combined experience and skill, they can diagnose and treat a wide variety of dental issues under one roof. Both of these dentists are most fulfilled when they’re helping patients remove pain and regain their smiles. To schedule a same-day emergency dental appointment, call (919) 787-0355 or visit the website to book online.