Playing sports is one of the great ways to remain active and healthy, but playing sports carries the risk, particularly with regards to dental injuries. Whether it’s contact sports, such as football, or something like skateboarding, proper sports dental protection can make a real difference. Suddenly, the force can result in broken teeth or lost fillings or even an injury to the jaw. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent dental injuries in sports and keep your smile safe.

Common Dental Injuries in Sports

Sports-related dental injuries are more common than many realize. Some of the most frequent dental emergencies are:

• Chipped or Broken Teeth: The blow directly impacts the face to crack or break teeth, and thus cause severe pain along with restorative dental work.
• Knocked-out teeth: Once a tooth has been knocked completely out of its socket, prompt dental treatment may be required in order to preserve it.
• Soft tissue injuries: The lips, cheeks, and tongue may suffer from cuts and bruises due to a direct impact or accidental biting.
• Jaw Fractures or Dislocations: Direct hits can lead to severe injury to the jaw, which results in long-term complications.

The Importance of Mouthguards for Sports

One of the most effective ways of protecting your teeth while playing sports is through the use of a mouthguard. Sports mouthguards act as cushions, absorbing shock and impact to reduce the chance of dental injury. There are three primary types of mouthguards:

1. Stock mouth guards: these are preformed, ready-to-wear and usually do not fit well and hence are not that effective.
2. Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: Boil-and-bite mouth guards can be softened in hot water and molded to fit the wearer’s mouth more snugly.
3. Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: These are made by a dentist and provide the best fit and maximum protection, ensuring dental safety while playing sports.

Additional Tips for Dental Safety While Playing Sports

Other than using a mouth guard, there are other preventive measures that athletes take to reduce dental injuries:

• Helmets : In sports such as football, hockey, and cycling, it is advisable for athletes to put on helmets since they protect additional parts of the face.
• Use of Face Shields: In some sports, baseball and lacrosse, a face shield can avoid direct blows from reaching the mouth.
• Avoid Biting Hard Objects: Chewing on ice, pens, or hard foods before a game can soften teeth and make them more susceptible to breakage.
• Drink Water: Drinking adequate amounts of water maintains saliva flow, which is crucial for oral hygiene and fighting off bacteria.
• Dental Check-Up: Visiting a dentist periodically ensures that any minor dental issues are dealt with before becoming an emergency.

What to Do in Case of a Dental Emergency

Even with the best precautions, accidents can still happen. Here’s what to do in case of a dental emergency while playing sports:

• Knocked-Out Tooth: Keep the tooth moist by placing it in milk or saline solution and see a dentist immediately.
• Broken Tooth: Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the area if swelling occurs, then see a dentist as soon as possible.
• Soft Tissue Injury: Use direct pressure to stop bleeding, then irrigate with warm salt water and go for medical treatment.

Keep Your Smile Safe with Lincoln Dental

Protecting your teeth while playing any sport is one of the main requirements for sporting and maintaining a healthy smile. High-quality mouthguard investment, use of proper protective gear during play, and good habits in and out of the field or court minimize dental emergencies. For any sports-related dental injury, it requires prompt care.

Here at Lincoln Dental, our trusted dentist in Coquitlam specializes in preventive and emergency dental care to keep your smile safe. Contact us today to find out how we can work together to care for your teeth while you pursue your favorite sports!