You likely already know that maintaining a consistent at-home dental hygiene routine and eating a healthy diet containing a variety of wholesome ingredients can help you protect your teeth and gums.
But if you’re someone who participates in team sports or other close-contact activities, you may be more likely to sustain serious injuries that can hurt your dental health, too. Continue reading to learn about 3 common dental emergencies among athletes so you can avoid them!
Issue #1: Injured Enamel
The protective outer layer of your teeth, the enamel, is the hardest substance your body produces, but it’s not invincible. For instance, if you’re hit in the face during a sports event, it could chip or crack, which might not seem serious at first. But the damage can extend deeper than you can see with the naked eye, and any changes to the structure of your teeth can result in additional injury or infection.
As a result, you might develop sensitivity, aches, or other issues days or weeks after the initial incident. Thankfully, a custom-fitted mouthguard can cushion your archest to help protect your grin.
Issue #2: Fractured Roots
Did you know that teeth extend deeper below the gums than they do above it? Like icebergs, more of their mass exists underneath the surface. But the fact that you can’t always see the roots doesn’t mean that they’re unable to be harmed.
Unfortunately, athletes are prone to sustaining injuries to the mouth or jaw that can crack or chip their teeth beneath the gumline. Because the damage is often invisible, it can be easy to miss until it gets worse. Then, if you develop additional issues, such as decay or disease, you might require a root canal to repair it.
Issue #3: Dislodged Teeth
Did you know that athletes who don’t wear a mouthguard may be up to 60 times more likely to sustain dental damage? Sports and recreational activities account for approximately 36% to 40% of all dental injuries in the U.S. That means that those who participate in these types of events are more likely to destabilize or completely dislodge their teeth. In fact, sources estimate that sports injuries cause the loss of between 3 and 5 million teeth each year.
Thankfully, many oral healthcare providers offer same-day emergency visits so that if you’ve been hurt, you won’t have to wait long to get help. Once you arrive, your dentist will examine your condition, which may involve taking X-rays or other images, to determine the type and extent of the problem.
Then, they can devise a customized treatment plan to repair your smile and get you back on your feet!
Meet the Author
Dr. Sheng Ji is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is passionate about improving people’s lives by enhancing their dental health. He graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California-San Francisco School of Dentistry in 2013, then went on to obtain a medical degree. Today, he provides various complex, cosmetic, and surgical services, including same-day emergency care, to address even the most severe dental concerns. If you’ve developed an urgent issue, you can contact the office on the website, but it may be better to call (916) 961-1902 for more immediate attention.