Emergency Dentistry: Sports Injuries in Fairlawn

Sports Injuries in Fairlawn

The risk of injury in sports activities is very high, especially with contact sports. But since sports are part of us, we offer emergency dental care after a sports injury. Anybody can get a dental injury in sports whether an amateur or a professional. Children also get these injuries, in fact, they are the most susceptible. Football and boxing may be having a higher risk of dental injury but one may get injured in almost any kind of sports activity.

What are the most common types of dental sports injuries?

Tooth fracture

The tooth crown can easily be chipped or cracked during sports. Some of the injuries are minor while others are severe and require immediate attention.

Tooth displacement

A tooth may be knocked out of place or may be completely knocked out of the mouth after a sports injury.

If the tooth is knocked out completely, it should be quickly picked and rinsed without touching the root. The tooth may be placed in milk to preserve it until you get to the dentist.

If the tooth is only loosened, the patient should visit the dentist immediately so that the tooth doesn't get permanent damage.

If tooth intrusion occurs and the tooth is pushed back into the jawbone, it can cause serious complications so urgent dental care is paramount.

Fractured root

Sometimes the injury hurts the root of the tooth with no visible injury on the tooth crown. It can even go unnoticed until a later time when pain develops.

Root canal therapy may save the tooth if a lot of time hasn't passed after the injury. In some cases, the damage is detected very late and little can be done to save the tooth.

How to prevent sports injuries.

While accidents cannot always be avoided, the risks can be minimized. Some of the things that can be done to prevent sports injuries include

  • Use of Mouthguards: Mouthguards are probably the most effective way of preventing dental injuries during sports. They protect you from direct blows which cause trauma to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, and gums.
  • Wear helmets where applicable such as in racing sports.
  • Avoid chewing during sports as you can easily bite your tongue

If you encounter any emergency sports injury, please reach out to us at 330-574-2991.