Athletes train hard, push their limits, and sometimes end up in the dentist’s chair for their efforts! Whether it’s a stray elbow in basketball or a crunching tackle in football, sports can put your smile at risk. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop playing! Continue reading to explore the most common dental emergencies among athletes and what you can do to protect your smile.
Knocked-Out Tooth
There are few things as frightening as having a tooth knocked out mid-game. This is one of the most serious dental emergencies, not just because it’s painful, but because the clock starts ticking the moment it happens. If you don’t get to a dentist in time, the odds of reimplanting your tooth goes down significantly.
What to Do:
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root).
- Rinse it gently with water if dirty, but don’t scrub!
- Try placing it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, store it in milk or saliva and get to a dentist within 30-60 minutes.
Cracked or Fractured Teeth
A hard impact from a ball, a tackle, or gritting your teeth without a mouthguard can lead to cracked or fractured teeth. These injuries range from minor chips to deep cracks that expose the tooth’s inner layers to bacteria. While they may not be immediate dental emergencies (depending on the severity) they can quickly turn into one without help.
What to Do:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Avoid chewing on the injured tooth (or teeth).
- See a dentist as soon as possible to prevent infection or further damage.
Soft Tissue Lacerations
Some of the most vulnerable structures in and around your mouth are the soft tissues—lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue. If you’ve ever bitten your cheek or tongue on accident, you know how painful and annoying these injuries can be even without excessive force. Thankfully, while soft tissue lacerations may bleed a lot, they aren’t regularly serious.
What to Do:
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to stop bleeding.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the area to reduce swelling.
- If the cut is deep or won’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure, head to the nearest emergency room instead of your dentist’s office.
How to Protect Your Smile During Sports
Dental emergencies can be scary, especially when you’re in the middle of a big game. The good news is that they can be largely prevented with the right equipment and practices, such as:
- Wearing a Mouthguard: This is the simplest and best defense against dental injuries in contact sports whether you play football or fight in the octagon. Even a simple boil-and-bite guard from a big box store is better than nothing!
- Use Your Protective Equipment: Certain sports require extra protection like pads, helmets, and face shields. Make sure you wear it!
- See Your Dentist Regularly: Routine checkups can help spot issues like minor cracks to prevent them from becoming major problems on the field.
By taking the right precautions, you can play hard and keep your smile together, even under the Friday night lights!
About the Practice
If you need professional dentistry before or after the big game, our team at Montague Dental can help. Our team of dental experts works hard to provide comfortable care when you need it the most. Call (973) 293-3404 to schedule a full mouth reconstruction consultation with our team or visit our website to see a full menu of services.