How to Avoid Traumatic Dental Injuries in Sports
Sports injuries run the gamut, from sprains and strains to dental trauma. In fact, some studies suggest that of all dental injuries in the U.S., 40%, come from playing sports. Most of these injuries involve chipped or broken front teeth from a fall, but a violent football tackle or a quick hockey stick to the mouth can cause a traumatic dental injury, such as a dislodged tooth or one or more teeth being knocked out completely.
So how do you protect your teeth while participating in sports? According to our general dentist at Blakeney Dental, the best way is to wear a mouthguard.
Three kinds of mouthguards exist:
Ready to Wear - These inexpensive mouth shields are available at the drugstore and are ready to wear out of the package. On the downside, they generally do not fit well, only last a few months, and offer little protection.
Boil and Bite - These are also available at the drugstore. Unlike ready-to-wear mouthguards, these can be customized to each individual by dropping the mouthguard into boiling water, softening it, and molding it to fit the teeth. These fit better than a ready-to-wear mouth shield but usually only last a year or so.
Custom Made - These mouth shields are customized by a dentist using an impression of your teeth. They provide a secure, comfortable fit and offer the best protection against severe dental injury.
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard every time you participate in an athletic or sporting event will greatly increase the odds that you will not suffer a sports-related dental injury. Yet, no mouthguard can prevent all sports-related dental traumas. If you do suffer a traumatic tooth injury such as losing one tooth or several, then the next step is to search for "Blakeney Dental" on Maps and visit us as soon as possible to determine if dental implants are the best answer to restoring your smile.
If you have suffered severe dental trauma, including lost teeth from a sports injury, please contact us today at (704) 386-6795 to request an appointment. We look forward to seeing you.