With summer coming and people itching to get back to playing contact sports after being deprived of all the action during the pandemic, some dental injuries may be unavoidable when getting back into sports for the first time. No worries though, our emergency dentist in Raleigh, NC is there for you no matter the problem.
There are always a few simple practices to follow to hopefully avoid sports injuries and we will review them below. If you experience any of these injuries, you can do some at-home therapy as well as make an appointment with us so we can help you.
Wear a Mouthguard
The best way to protect your mouth and teeth during sports is to wear a mouthguard. Mouthguards can be custom-made or bought generically. A mouth guard does a great job of protecting your teeth against fractures and dislocations.
The teeth are also protected from making harsh contact with each other. Along with dental protection, a good mouthguard will also protect your jawbone against fracture and damage. Protecting your teeth and jaw can also prevent more extensive injuries such as neck pain and concussions.
If you do experience a tooth fracture or dislocation, you will want to schedule a root canal in Raleigh, NC. A root canal can help protect your tooth against further cracking.
A root canal is a simple procedure to keep your tooth healthy and prevent any damage or disease. Having a root canal will protect your teeth from wear and strain, as well as get your chewing and sensation back to normal after the injury.
You may have some mild discomfort after getting a root canal, but usually, the procedure is quick, painless, and has a quick recovery time.
Remember to see the emergency dentist in Raleigh, NC promptly so that the injury does not get worse or get infected. While waiting for your root canal, always rinse your mouth with warm water and keep your mouth very clean.
You can gently use a cold compress on the injury to reduce swelling and pain. Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as Advil to keep inflammation down.
Invest In a Face Cage
You may have seen goalies or other sports position players wearing what looks like a cage on their faces. These are much more protective than a mouthguard but are not always necessary. Face cages are best for positions where you are more likely to get hit head-on with a ball.
The wearing of a face cage can prevent tooth cracking, as well as fractured roots. It can also prevent teeth from being knocked out. While many people think of teeth being knocked out as the most common sport’s injury, your tooth could likely be pushed further in as well.
This is called tooth intrusion and it is when the tooth is driven back into the jawbone. As with tooth fracture, tooth intrusions and tooth fractures also require root canals.
With any dental injury, keep the mouth as clean as possible and schedule an appointment with the dentist as soon as you can.
More Prevention Tips
You may assume that you will automatically know if you received an injury such as a fractured root, but this is not always the case. Some fractured roots and teeth fractures can only cause mild symptoms or no symptoms.
This is why it is crucial to stay up-to-date on your regular dental check-ups and x-rays, especially if you are an active sports player.
Some common symptoms of dental injuries are:
- Ongoing or intermittent tooth pain
- Sharp pain when chewing or biting down
- Trouble chewing or eating on one side
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Loss of tooth enamel
- Discoloration of the tooth (especially darker)
- Swelling and tenderness in the gums
Dental injuries can be very easy to fix, especially when caught early. The earlier you see the dentist, the easy the injury will be to fix. It will also ensure that the injury or problem is much less likely to come back at a later date.
At New Hope Dental Care, we have all your sport’s dental injuries taken care of. You can be sure you are in good hands.