Emergency Dentist Tips: Guarding Against Sports Injuries

Any emergency dentist will tell you that injuries to the mouth and teeth are common. A very high number of dental injuries affect the front teeth. Damage to the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, inner cheeks and lips, is also common. Sports injuries are a major source of tooth and mouth injuries in both adults and older adolescents. Read on to learn about how you can guard against sports injuries.
Emergency dentist and sports safety
A high percentage of dental injuries in adults and older children occur while playing sports. Fortunately, people can protect their teeth when playing sports or participating in close-contact recreational activities. It is always advisable for adults and children to take measures geared toward ensuring they are safe. Here are some tips on how to prevent sports injuries.
Helmets
People who take part in activities that involve impact or speed should wear helmets. These include skating, bike riding, football and hockey. The helmet should be made for the activity a person is participating in. This will help provide optimal protection. Even though many helmets do not protect the mouth and teeth, these items protect the head, which is another important area. A mouthguard, depending on the activity, may also be recommended.
Mouthguards
Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports is highly recommended. It is one of the most ideal ways of protecting the mouth and teeth. People who play any type of sport that involves balls, bats, sticks or person-to-person contact, such as hockey, soccer or football, can benefit from investing in them. A person can find mouthguards for sale over-the-counter. However, these mouthguards may not offer the ideal fit. They can also be uncomfortable.
Dentists often recommend a custom-fit mouthguard. This option often fits better, which means it is more effective in protecting the teeth. Wearing a mouthguard every day while practicing may be a pain, but it is better than dealing with a dental injury that can follow. The cost of replacing a lost tooth is way more compared to the cost of a custom-fitted mouthguard.
Knocked-out tooth
About 80% of dental injuries affect one or more teeth. Even if a person’s tooth has been knocked out, it usually can be saved if the individual gets to the office of the dentist quickly. There is a high chance that a knocked-out tooth can be saved if an emergency dentist returns it to its socket within about an hour of being knocked out. Minor chips and cracks can also be repaired. A dentist may use tooth-colored materials that may be almost as strong as the original tooth. But even minor injuries can cause serious damage.
Takeaway
If you play sports or enjoy other high-risk activities, protect yourself. If you have any questions about how to protect your teeth during a given sport, talk to a dentist. The dentist can help you choose the equipment or items that can protect you. The dentist will ultimately help you pick the helmet that is most appropriate and create a custom mouthguard that can fit your teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.southfloridadentalarts.com or call South Florida Dental Arts at (305) 230-4041 for an appointment in our Miami office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
If a person has a broken tooth, this can lead to many problems, so a dental professional may recommend a CEREC® crown. Known as Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, this technology can be used to fabricate a variety of dental devices, such as veneers, implants, bridges, and dentures, as well as crowns, which are…
CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) ceramic crowns are innovative restorations. Patients appreciate the many advantages of CEREC crowns over traditional crown materials. The technology of these restorations continues to bring bigger smiles in many communities. Choosing CEREC ceramic crowns is an easy decision. If you want to know why, here are the details.CEREC…
Implant restoration plays a vital role in restoring the appearance and function of a complete smile after tooth loss. Dental implants provide a strong, stable foundation, and the restoration process completes the treatment by adding a custom crown, bridge, or denture to complete the treatment. Implant restoration enhances aesthetics, chewing ability, and long-term oral health,…
Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic — or CEREC® — crowns are a type of dental restoration that can be provided to a patient in a single day. Unlike typical crowns that must be made in a lab separate from the dentist’s office, these restorations are created with an in-house machine after the affected tooth…