In the past, getting hurt as an athlete was sometimes viewed as a rite of passage – after all, the saying goes “no pain, no gain,” right? However, there’s really no true benefit to sustaining an injury while participating in a sport, especially if you’ve hurt your smile! Continue reading to learn a little more about some of the most common dental injuries that athletes face and how many of them can easily be prevented with proper protection.
Athletes Injure Their Smiles Fairly Often
To put it briefly, people who are involved in both contact and non-contact sports are at a much higher risk of sustaining a dental injury. This includes numerous sports and games, like football, hockey, baseball, swimming, basketball, and more; you’d be surprised at how physical some of these can be!
In fact, research estimates that over 5 million teeth are avulsed, or displaced from their socket, each year during sports activities. However, knocked-out teeth are just one of the many injuries that can occur during sports; teeth can just as easily become chipped, cracked, or shifted out of place. The gums and other orofacial structures can also sustain injury.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies Among Athletes
Aside from displaced teeth, here’s a look at three more of the most common dental injuries that occur among athletes; by knowing how to identify these issues, you can easily seek out prompt treatment if the need arises.
- Cracked Teeth – Teeth can receive longitudinal cracks that don’t post very high risks, but if the crack begins at the tooth’s crown and extends downward, it can cause quite a lot of pain. If it extends beyond the gumline, a root canal or extraction might be needed to prevent long-term problems.
- Fractured Roots – Sometimes the roots of teeth can become cracked. These fractures are often invisible, and often aren’t realized until an infection has developed. Often, root canal therapy is needed to treat the root and salvage the tooth.
- Tooth Intrusion – This is more-or-less the opposite of a displaced tooth; some injuries can drive a tooth back into the jawbone. It tends to be more common in baby teeth but can happen to patients and athletes of all ages.
Tips for Preventing Dental Emergencies During Sports
In order to prevent dental disasters from occurring during sports and physical activities, it’s in your best interest to wear a protective mouthguard while participating. There are different types of these devices, ranging from the simple “boil-and-bite” ones that can be purchased at most sporting goods stores, as well as custom-made guards that are provided by a dentist. The latter tend to be the most effective, as they’re more durable and highly customizable. If your sport requires a helmet, you should also consider one with a faceguard, to provide yourself with an extra later of protection.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that healthy smiles are inherently less likely to suffer a dental emergency, even while playing sports! Patients with decayed teeth or compromised gum tissue are often a little more vulnerable to dental injury since the teeth and gums are weaker. With that in mind, keep up with your oral hygiene and routine preventive care when you’re not on the field – your smile will thank you!
About the Practice
Our team here at Worcester Dental Arts has proudly served the needs of patients and families in the Worcester, MA community for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dental services. If you or a loved one has suffered a dental emergency, please allow us to help! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment, you can visit us online or call us today for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 793-2114.
