When people think of sports injuries, they often picture muscle sprains, broken bones, and torn ligaments. But, while athletes do commonly encounter these types of injuries, high-impact physical activities don’t just injure limbs and torsos—they can also injure your teeth, gums, and jaw bone.
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Common Dental Injuries That Athletes Incur
Any sport or physical activity that exposes you to large amounts of impact can put you at risk for dental injuries, such as the following:
Tooth crown fracture
Any type of blow to the face can cause a tooth to break or develop a crack. This can lead to tooth pain that may come and go in waves and/or a sharp pain when chewing or biting down on the affected area.
Tooth root fracture
Aside from fracturing tooth crowns, sports injuries can also cause damage to the root of the tooth (i.e., the part below the gum line). Oftentimes, patients don’t realise that they have a root fracture, and the damage is only noticed once the damaged area gets infected and produces pain, tenderness, and other symptoms.
Tooth intrusion
A major impact can drive a tooth back into its socket and into the jawbone. This often occurs in small children who still have their baby teeth, but it can also happen to adults when they get injured by severe impact.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation
The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the rest of the skull, and it can cause pain and swelling if it becomes dislocated. They’ll also have difficulties with eating, drinking, talking, and other activities that involve jaw movements.
Mandibular fracture
Aside from dislocating their TMJ, athletes may also fracture the actual jaw bone itself. Mandibular fractures require immediate medical care since it can result in heavy bleeding in the mouth along with tooth loss, jaw misalignment, and more.
How to Protect Your Oral Health
While playing sports, dental injuries might not seem like a big deal at first glance, especially when compared to a traumatic brain injury or a major bone fracture. However, they shouldn’t be immediately dismissed since dealing with oral health issues can impact your quality of life and eventually lead to serious medical problems down the road. Fortunately, dental injuries can be prevented when you:
- Wear a mouthguard when playing football, basketball, rugby, martial arts, and other types of contact sports.
- Check your mouthguard regularly and ensure it’s in good condition. If it’s distorted or damaged, replace it ASAP.
- Wear a helmet when you go mountain biking, skateboarding, roller skating, and doing other sports that involve wheels.
- Make oral care a priority. Having good oral health can help reduce the risk of incurring serious dental damage. Brush and floss on a daily basis and avoid foods and drinks that can weaken your teeth and cause gum inflammation. Of course, schedule a checkup with a trusted dentist at least once a year.
Recovering from Dental Sports Injuries
The best way to manage dental sports injuries is to have them treated right away. If you incur any type of injury to your teeth or gums, get on your phone ASAP and call a dentist in Wagga that offers emergency services. With their help, you’ll receive the treatments you need to stem any bleeding, preserve any cracked or broken tooth, and repair any damaged gums and other oral structures. Getting immediate dental treatment also minimises the chance of incurring permanent dental damage and ensures that you can get back to enjoying your favourite sports as quickly as possible.
