Sports dentistry involves the prevention and treatment of dental injuries and related oral diseases, as well as the sharing of information and equipment designed to help protect the teeth, mouth, jaw, and face of athletes of all ages.
Injuries to the teeth and mouth are common among athletes. It’s essential to protect your young athlete’s smile if he or she plays sports, for aesthetic as well as health reasons.
Common Dental Injuries in Sports
Tooth knocked out
- Time is the most important factor when trying to save a tooth, so get to our office as soon as possible. In general, there is a 30-minute window of opportunity to re-implant the tooth in the socket.
- Do not try to re-implant the tooth yourself.
- The best liquid to transport a tooth in is cold milk. If milk is not available, use saliva (if possible), saline, or if nothing else is available, water.
- Don’t let the tooth dry out and don’t wrap it in anything.
- Don’t touch the tooth root if you can avoid it.
Tooth chipped / cracked
- We will likely use an X-ray of the tooth to determine the treatment necessary.
- For a serious chip that exposes the pulp of the tooth, get to our office as soon as possible.
- If a tooth is chipped or cracked, sometimes it can be fixed with a filling or bonding alone.
- Sometimes a tooth is cracked or chipped in a way that affects the nerve of the tooth, and a more complicated treatment may be needed.
Tooth displaced
- If a tooth is moved due to trauma, see the doctor as soon as possible.
- Do not try to move the tooth back on your own.
- For any mouth discomfort before you get to the office, apply ice.
Preventing Injury
One of the best ways to prevent injury to your son or daughter’s teeth and mouth is to have your athlete wear a mouthguard while playing sports. There are several types of mouthguards to choose from, and we can help you choose the best one for your child’s particular needs.
