Sports-Related Dental Injuries: Prevention, Treatment, And Recovery Guide

Sports-related injuries are a common and unfortunate part of playing sports. While it’s impossible to eliminate the risk of injury, there are several steps you can take to drastically reduce the risk of sports-related dental trauma.

This guide will help. 

Common Types Of Sports Dental Injuries

Sports dental injuries occur as a result of physical trauma to the mouth; they’re most common in contact sports. There are several different types of sports dental injuries, including:

• Fractures: Fractures are divided into two different types: Crown fractures and root fractures. Crown fractures are the most common type of sports-related dental injury, and they’re qualified based on their depth. Enamel fractures only affect the surface layer of the tooth, enamel-dentin fractures affect the second layer (dentin), and complicated fractures affect the pulp. Root fractures affect the root of the tooth below the gums—this can make them harder to detect. Athletes may not notice the pain from root fractures right away. 
• Tooth intrusions: These occur when the tooth is pushed into the jawbone. They can be quite severe, as the intrusion can damage the jawbone, the root of the tooth, and even the nerves.
• Tooth displacement and knocked-out teeth: The tooth might be moved sideways, partially pulled out of the mouth, or fully knocked out. These are dental emergencies that can cause a lot of pain.
• Tooth bruising: This can create discolouration and sensitivity in the tooth; fortunately, the bruising typically heals on its own. 

Immediate Steps After A Sports Dental Injury

The steps you’ll take after a sports dental injury depend on the type of injury—but in almost all cases, they require emergency dental intervention. Here are a few of the steps you can take after an injury:

• If the tooth is fractured: Visit your dentist right away. Avoid hard foods, as well as hot and cold foods (which may cause sensitivity in dentin or complex fractures).
• If the tooth is moved: Don’t attempt to move it on your own; visit your dentist right away.
• If the tooth is dislodged: Hold it by the top of the crown—do not touch the root. Gently wash it with tap water. Place it back in the socket if you can, and bite down gently on gauze or a teabag to keep it in place. If you cannot place it back in the socket, put it in a glass of cold milk. Go see an emergency dentist right away; in many cases, the tooth can be saved.
• If the tooth is bruised:  Rest, avoid chewing on the tooth, and take over-the-counter pain medications if necessary. Visit your dentist to assess the level of damage. 

Protective Equipment For Contact Sports

Each contact sport has its own equipment; if it’s relevant to your sport, wear a helmet. You should also get a mouthguard for any contact sport—and even for non-contact sports. We highly recommend getting a custom-fitted sports guard from your dentist; these are the most effective mouthguards because they’re designed to fit perfectly in your mouth. 

Recovery And Treatment Options

The treatment options for traumatic dental injuries differ depending on the type of injury. A cracked tooth might be treated with a simple crown, but a crack that’s made its way to the tooth pulp may require a root canal.

Treatment for a tooth intrusion will depend on how deep the tooth goes into the jawbone (also known as the alveolar bone). Mild intrusions may re-erupt naturally—this is especially likely in children, who are the most prone to dental intrusions. In other cases, the tooth may be corrected with braces or other orthodontic devices—in the worst-case scenarios, surgery and root canals may be necessary.

For permanent teeth that have been knocked out due to dental trauma, the process is relatively straightforward; the dentist will align the tooth back into the socket; they’ll usually split your tooth to anchor it to the surrounding teeth.

Prevention Tips For Athletes And Coaches

Athletes and coaches both have an important role to play in preventing oral injuries—and all other sports injuries. Here are a few tips to help everyone play safer:

• Athletes should always wear appropriate protective gear, including mouthguards.
• Coaches should encourage athletes to wear appropriate protective gear.
• Both athletes and coaches should work together to ensure proper technique.
• Education and awareness are key—both athletes and coaches should know what to do in the case of a dental emergency. By reading this article, you’ve already taken the first step. 

Protecting Your Smile: Next Steps For Athletes

Now that you know the most common dental injuries and how to prevent them, the next step is to keep other athletes you know informed. Visit our dental office for more information on preventing sports-related dental injuries. We can also help in the case of an emergency—whether you need root canal therapy for cracked teeth or advice on what to do about your bruised tooth, we can help.