Best Ways to Prevent Dental Injuries in Sports

Did you know that some of the most common injuries related to sports are dental injuries?

Participation in contact sports has been growing for adults and children alike in the past few years. Since these sports are very engaging and physically demanding, people often sustain common jaw and mouth injuries. Some of the common dental injuries people sustain are broken, fractured, or dislodged teeth. With these, you might require extensive dental care to restore your mouth to near normal.

What Types of Injuries Can You Get?

Athletes can view injuries during sports as a rite of passage. But dental injuries can significantly affect your oral health, making it imperative to seek medical attention to help restore it. The following are some dental injuries you can incur in a sport:

• Soft Tissue Injury

A sports injury can damage your gums, cheeks, and tongue, causing open sores and ulcers. These can lead to infections and other complications if not treated. If you incur soft tissue injuries, you should see your dentist for examination and medication.

• Tooth Loss 

If you lose a tooth during a game, store it in a container with milk or your saliva. You can carry the tooth to your dentist so that they can attempt a reimplantation procedure.

• Displaced or Loose Tooth

When you get a displaced tooth from an injury, you can gently try to nudge it back. If it does not quickly move back, you should not force it. You ought to go to a dentist who can stabilize it. In addition, they can work on any loose teeth you might have.

• Broken or Fractured Teeth

When you get a fractured or broken tooth from a sports injury, you may experience sensitivity and pain. You should see a dentist who can help you manage the pain. Also, they can provide cosmetic procedures to restore the health and look of the teeth.

How Do You Protect Your Teeth From Damage During Sports?

A mouthguard is arguably one of the best options for protecting your teeth from damage during contact sports. Mouthguards reduce the impact of forces on your mouth and jaw. You can get one out of these mouthguards:

• Stock Mouthguards

These can arguably protect all mouth sizes and are not expensive. But they tend to be uncomfortable and make it difficult to talk or breathe, and do not offer the best protection.

• Boil and Bite Mouthguards

These are made from a thermoplastic material that you bite into after softening them in hot/boiling water. The material takes the shape of your jaw to fit more snuggly. They are slightly more comfortable than stock mouthguards. 

• Custom Mouthguards

This type of mouthguard, which your local dentist can prescribe, offers the best quality of protection for your teeth. The dentist uses your teeth's impressions to fashion the mouthguard so that it fits. Since it is the size and shape of your mouth, it is very comfortable.

For more on the best ways to prevent dental injuries in sports, call Rudell Gary Jacinto, DMD, at (323) 405-9428 to reach our office in Los Angeles, California.