Injuries come as part and parcel of an athlete’s life, especially, if you are into “contact sports” like football, basketball, hockey, and volleyball. According to the American Dental Assistants Association, 5 million citizens lose teeth due to sports-related dental injuries every year. Advance evaluation and treatment procedures are available now with Dentists. If the damage is attended to in time, it can be entirely cured.
Treatments for Top 5 Dental Injuries
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Cracked Teeth
Dentists can apply temporary calcium hydroxide for initial relief. A root canal needs to be performed as a permanent treatment. Dental Veneers can also be used to improve the appearance of the cracked tooth.
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Tooth Dislocation
It can be treated in 10 to 30 minutes. The tooth is put in a chemical solution if treatment is not possible immediately. You need to do regular check-ups after its treatments, as it may injure the pulp also.
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Displaced Tooth Within Socket
Unlike the dislocated tooth, this one is rooted out of its socket. This tooth can be immediately replanted depending on the condition of the tooth. Debris of the tooth can be held with the help of Veneers and Crown.
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Jaw dislocation
Injury in the jawbone connected to the skull leads to jaw dislocation. A regular physician can heal a minor injury. But advanced dental treatment is required for the severe ones.
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Broken Teeth
Broken teeth or chipped teeth are widespread dental problems. A small issue does not need any treatment. Longer chips or cracks need fixes like Veneers, crowns, and tooth rebounding.
The most useful device for the prevention of injury is a mouthguard. Various experts and associations recommend it. It is a device that covers your teeth and jaw from inside your mouth. It’s a helmet for your teeth and gums so wear it whenever you are playing sports!
Most Common Sports Mouth Guards
- Stock Mouth Guards
- “Boil-and-bite” mouth guards
- Custom-fitted mouthguard
Back in The Game!
“No athlete is truly tested until they stare an injury in the face and come out on the other side stronger than ever.”
Let’s see how much time you will require to come out of these injuries and the aftercare.
- Displacement of the tooth from the socket without replantation – 48 hours. With replantation – 2-4 weeks with a mouthguard and face mask use
- Displaced tooth within socket – 24-48 hours after correction with a mouthguard
- Tooth Fractures – It varies according to the depth of the injury
- Jaw dislocation – 2-4 weeks, return to play with a risk of a repeat injury
Please note that the above timelines may differ on a case-to-case basis.
It doesn’t matter how severe the injury is! If it is adequately treated in time, it will not hamper your ambitions. So, consult a dentist immediately if you experience a blow to the mouth. Even if you don’t feel the pain, but you know something had hit you, go to the expert for a check-up. This way, you will avoid the long-term repercussions of the injury.
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health,recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.