What to Do About a Dental Emergency While Playing Sports

What are some typical dental emergencies in sports?

The following dental injuries are common in athletes, as they are usually the result of a blow to the head or face.

Teeth Unexpectedly Knocked Out

We often see athletes on television and on the field with gaps in their teeth. This is because a knocked-out tooth is a common sports injury.

If your tooth is knocked out, attempt to locate it as soon as possible. Pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the root. Rinse it off and place it back into the socket if you can, biting down gently to hold it in place.

If you are unable to put the tooth back into its socket, it’s imperative that it be kept moist. Place the tooth in a cup of milk (not water) or your saliva, or in your mouth next to your cheek until you can get to your dentist’s office.

Ideally, you’ll get to the dentist’s office within 30 minutes of the injury. If you see your dentist quickly enough, they may be able to save your tooth.

Crack Resulting in a Fractured Tooth Root

Take a hard hit from the wrong angle and you could suffer a fractured tooth root. In these cases, the crack originates from the roots of the tooth and makes it's way up.

It’s possible that you won’t feel any symptoms from a fractured tooth root. Since they are hidden below the gum line, they sometimes only become apparent when an infection grows in the pulp of the tooth.

A patient with a tooth root fracture should have root canal therapy as soon as possible to prevent or treat an infection.

Impact Causing a Tooth Intrusion

Tooth intrusion is another painful condition that occurs when the tooth is driven back into the jawbone.

Children often experience this injury more than adults, as the alveolar bones that hold their tooth sockets are not as strong as those of adults.

Depending on whether it is a primary (baby) tooth or a permanent one, treatment will vary. In primary teeth, the dentist will allow the intruded tooth to spontaneously re-erupt, provided that it has not intruded into the developing adult tooth. If the tooth does not re-erupt, the dentist will remove it.

A permanent intruded tooth will also be given the chance to passively re-erupt. If re-eruption does not happen, surgical or orthodontic re-eruption treatment can be performed, along with endodontic treatment.

Cracked, Broken or Damaged Tooth

A cracked tooth involves a split or crack that begins at the crown and extends down into the tooth. If you have a cracked tooth, you may experience sharp pain when you bite down, intermittent tooth pain, or sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. You may also not experience any symptoms at all.

Depending on the type of crack and its severity, your dentist may repair it with a crown, filling or dental bonding. In very severe cases, a root canal or extraction may be necessary. See your dentist as soon as possible.

The Prevention of Dental Injuries During Sports

Many dental emergencies that result from sports injuries can be prevented with a custom-made mouth guard, which acts as a barrier between your teeth and gums, and cushions your teeth from blows to the head or face.

If you play sports or engage in high-impact physical activities, talk to your dentist about a custom-made mouthguard today.

Are you concerned that your sport-related dental injury is an emergency? Contact our Peterborough dentists right away. We will try to fit you into our schedule as soon as we can.