Playing a sport is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. But just like everything else, it also has some downsides. For example, athletes are at a heightened risk of dental emergencies. What urgent oral health problems are most common among athletes, and how can you manage or prevent such situations? This blog post offers some helpful information.
Most Common Dental Emergencies for Athletes
As an athlete, there is a risk you could experience any of the following dental emergencies:
- Fully or partially avulsed (knocked-out) tooth: A hard impact to your face or jaw could cause one of your teeth to become loose — or even dislodge it altogether.
- Intruded tooth: An intruded tooth occurs when a tooth gets knocked further into the jawbone. This is a fairly rare type of injury, but it occurs more frequently among athletes.
- Cracked teeth: Teeth can crack above or below the gumline. If bacteria sneak into the damaged area, a serious and painful infection could result.
- Chipped teeth: A small chip in a tooth is not typically an urgent emergency, but the damage could easily worsen without timely treatment.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Even if you enjoy playing contact sports, there are steps you can take to protect your smile from damage. One simple but important thing you can do is invest in a custom mouthguard; they provide greater protection than over-the-counter products and tend to be more comfortable as well.
Another practical measure you can implement is make sure your gear is in good shape. For example, a sturdy pair of shoes that is appropriate for your sport can lower the risk of trips and falls. Similarly, a helmet that fits properly can provide valuable protection against both head injuries and dental damage.
Managing Dental Emergencies
If you sustain a dental injury despite your best efforts to avoid one, rinse your mouth and then apply some clean, moist gauze to control any bleeding.
If a tooth is knocked out, touch it only by its crown (its top part) and carefully rinse it with milk or a saline solution (not plain water). (Do NOT scrub the tooth; you may damage it!) Try to place it back in its socket (if you were able to rinse it) or store it in a glass of milk.
If you believe your jaw is broken or dislocated, or you have other life-threatening symptoms, go to the local emergency department. Otherwise, call your dentist and request an emergency appointment. The sooner you receive care, the better! (Particularly if a tooth gets knocked out, you should see a dentist within an hour to maximize the chances that the tooth can be saved.)
A strong and healthy smile is the perfect complement to an athletic body. Take good care of your teeth as you enjoy your favorite sport.
Meet the Practice
The team of dentists at Silver Creek Dentistry is proud to serve the Ripon community. We offer top-quality, compassionate care in a welcoming environment. We strive to accept urgent cases as soon as possible. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our office at 920-748-7200.