Sports are great for having fun, building camaraderie, and keeping yourself active, but any physical activity can come with the risk of injury to your body, including your mouth.
A collision, fall, or unexpected impact can damage your teeth and gums in an instant. Whether you’re an athlete or not, knowing which dental emergencies they commonly suffer and what to do when they happen can help you if you find yourself in a similar predicament.
1. Knocked-Out Teeth
A tooth that has been completely knocked out is one of the most common and urgent dental injuries an athlete can experience. Though you’re probably rattled from both the impact that caused it and finding your tooth on the ground, keeping your wits about you and acting quickly may improve the chances of saving the tooth.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown rather than the root. If it’s dirty, gently rinse it with water without scrubbing it. If possible, carefully place the tooth back into its socket without forcing it. If that isn’t possible, keep it moist in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution and seek emergency dental care immediately.
2. Chipped or Broken Teeth
Boxers, football players, hockey players – all of them are especially susceptible to this injury. Sometimes even hard impact from a ball, bat, or piece of equipment can cause a tooth to chip or break. A small chip may not be an emergency, but larger breaks can expose the sensitive inner layers of the tooth.
If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth with water and try to save any broken pieces. Avoid chewing with the affected tooth and contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
Treatment may involve dental bonding, a crown, or other restorative procedures depending on the severity of the injury.
3. Tooth Luxation
Sometimes an impact doesn’t completely knock out a tooth but causes it to become loose or move out of its normal position. This is known as a tooth luxation injury.
A tooth may appear pushed inward, pulled outward, or shifted sideways. It may also become painful or sensitive.
Don’t try to force the tooth back into position yourself. Contact an emergency dentist promptly so the tooth and surrounding tissues can be evaluated and treated appropriately.
4. Soft-Tissue Injuries
Sports-related impacts can also cause injuries to the lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums. A mouth injury may result in cuts, bruising, or significant bleeding.
If this happens, rinse your mouth gently with water and apply clean gauze or a cloth with light pressure to bleeding areas. A cold compress applied to the outside of the face may help reduce swelling.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop, the injury is severe, or you suspect a broken jaw or other serious facial injury, seek urgent medical attention.
Whether you’re a weekend athlete or compete at a high level, protecting your smile should be part of your sports routine. A properly fitted mouthguard, awareness of dental emergencies, and quick action after an injury can help keep you in the game.
About the Author
Dr. Parley Hubler, Jr. brings 30 years of experience in dentistry when serving his patients in Lucas, TX. He graduated from the Oklahoma College of Dentistry and began private practice in a small town in Oklahoma, where he learned how to perform many procedures himself because of limited access to dental specialists. Consequently, he became adept at root canals and surgical tooth extractions, which serves his emergency patients especially well. If you’ve suffered a dental emergency, call us quickly at (214) 446-6011 for a same-day appointment or book online.