Sporting accidents are a common cause of tooth injury and it is important to ensure the teeth are protected while being active. This means a mouth guard is a must while playing contact and collision sports. The mouth guard, weather professionally made or over-the-counter, shields the teeth as well as helps to concussions. In collisions the lower jaw will often forcibly collide with the upper jaw, sending a shockwave through the skull and can result in a concussion. Other injuries could include breaking teeth, fractures of the jawbone, displacing teeth, and tooth loss. When any of these occur it is vital to see your dentist as soon as possible.
When a tooth is broken or fractured it can be very painful if the fracture is close to the pulp (nerve tissue inside the tooth.) It is important to have a dentist evaluate the tooth, checking that it is properly positioned and inspecting for additional damage. Repairing the fracture may be a simple as replacing the missing segment with a tooth colored filling or as complex as needing root canal therapy or splinting.
If a tooth is lost only handle it by the crown and not by the root. If there is debris, gently rinse the tooth with warm water, store it in a solution such as saline or cold milk and see a dentist within an hour so that the tooth can be replaced. Tooth storage solutions can be found in the drug store and are handy for the team medic to have. If it is not possible to see a dentist immediately gently replace the tooth and apply pressure either by biting or with a handkerchief.
Injuries resulting from accidents can be severe and it is important to seek professional attention immediately. Long-term effects can occur and must be handled appropriately. An athletic guard can prevent some of these injuries; remember to use one when involved in contact sports.
