Did you know that every year more than 600,000 people seek emergency treatment due to dental issues related to sports? All athletes must be careful about protecting their smiles from sudden blows and impacts that can damage teeth. If you’re involved with any kind of sport, then you should be aware of the following 4 dental emergencies that you may potentially have to deal with.
1. Cracked Teeth
Tooth enamel is very durable. In fact, it’s significantly stronger than your bones. However, if you get hit in the face or mouth hard enough, your enamel can become cracked. And once it has been damaged, there’s no way for it to fix itself.
Some cracks can be very painful, especially when you bite down or eat something hot or cold. Other cracks don’t cause discomfort but might still put the tooth at risk for infection.
As long as the cracked tooth is still salvageable, it should be repaired with an appropriate restoration – such as a filling or crown – as soon as possible.
2. Knocked-Out Teeth
As alarming as a cracked tooth can be, having one knocked entirely out of its socket is even worse. Teeth can only last for so long outside of the mouth, and if the gap in your smile isn’t filled quickly, it could lead to alignment issues and other serious dental problems.
You should try and see a dentist within an hour if a tooth is ever knocked out of your mouth. In circumstances where the tooth can’t be saved, you’ll want to consider dental implants or other replacement options.
3. Fractured Roots
Some athletes get hit in a certain way that results in the roots of their teeth becoming cracked. The damage starts below the gumline, so it can often go unnoticed until it has led to serious complications such as infection.
Fractured tooth roots can sometimes be treated with root canal therapy. Ideally, they should be treated as soon as possible in order to avoid tooth loss.
4. Tooth Intrusion
You may not have heard of this type of dental injury before since it’s not as common as those listed above. Tooth intrusion is when the tooth in question is hit in a way that drives it into the jawbone. It occurs more often in children, but adult athletes can suffer from it as well.
Intruded teeth sometimes have to be removed, but in other cases, they can be saved via oral surgery or root canal therapy. You’ll need to speak with your dentist as soon as possible to figure out what steps need to be taken.
No matter what kind of sport you play, you always need to be aware of the risk of a dental emergency. A mouthguard can help protect your smile, but if your teeth do become injured in some way, you shouldn’t waste any time seeking care from a professional.
About the Author
Dr. John E. Petty is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, which is an honor he earned after completing more than 500 hours of continuing education and a written examination. He can help athletes protect their smiles with personalized mouthguards, and he accepts same-day emergency appointments. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Petty at Petty Dental in Tullahoma, visit his website or call (931) 454-9499.