Common Athletic Dental Emergencies
The following are described to be common injuries that can happen to athletes while playing sports.
Tooth Knocked Out
It is common to see athletes sporting gaps in their teeth as the result of having a tooth knocked out while playing sports.
If your tooth gets knocked out of its socket, you'll want to locate it as soon as possible. Make sure to pick it up by the crown so you don't touch the root. Rinse it off and place it back into the socket if you can, biting down gently to hold it in place.
Your knocked-out tooth needs to stay moist so if you are unable to put the tooth back in the socket, you can place it in a cup of milk (not water) or saliva, or even just inside your mouth next to your cheek until you get to the dentist.
Ideally, you’ll get to the dentist’s office within 30 minutes of the injury. If you see your dentist quickly enough, they may be able to save your tooth.
Fractured Tooth Roots
Take a hard hit from the wrong angle and you could suffer a fractured tooth root. In these cases, the crack originates from the roots of the tooth and makes its way up.
It’s possible that you won’t feel any symptoms from a fractured tooth root. Since they are hidden below the gum line, they sometimes only become apparent when an infection grows in the pulp of the tooth.
A patient with a tooth root fracture should have root canal therapy as soon as possible to prevent or treat infection.
Tooth Intrusion
Tooth intrusion is another painful condition that occurs when the tooth is driven back into the jawbone.
This condition is more commonly seen in children than adults, as the alveolar bones that hold their tooth sockets are not as strong as those of adults.
Depending on whether it is a primary (baby) tooth or a permanent one, treatment will vary. In primary teeth, the dentist will allow the intruded tooth to spontaneously re-erupt, provided that it has not intruded into the developing adult tooth. If the tooth does not re-erupt, the dentist will remove it.
A permanent intruded tooth will also be given the chance to passively re-erupt. If re-eruption does not happen, surgical or orthodontic re-eruption treatment can be performed, along with endodontic treatment.
Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth involves a split or crack that begins at the crown and extends down into the tooth. If your tooth becomes cracked, it is likely that you will feel a sharp pain especially when you bite down, intermittent toothaches and extra sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. You may also not experience any symptoms at all.
Depending on the type of crack and its severity, your dentist may repair it with a crown, filling or dental bonding. In very severe cases, a root canal or extraction may be necessary. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Preventing Sports Injuries
Many dental emergencies that result from sports injuries can be prevented with a custom-made mouth guard, which acts as a barrier between your teeth and gums, and cushions your teeth from blows to the head or face.
If you play sports or engage in high-impact physical activities, talk to your dentist about a custom-made mouthguard today.