Did you know that sources estimate that an athlete who doesn’t wear a mouthguard may be up to 60 times more likely to suffer dental damage? This is because team sports and other high-contact activities increase the risk of sustaining an injury that can significantly impact your oral health.
But thankfully, taking a few simple precautions, like wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard, can help prevent potential issues. Continue reading to learn more about 3 potential dental emergencies common among athletes so you can avoid them!
Issue #1: Damaged Enamel
Enamel may be the hardest substance made by the human body, but it’s not invincible. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat common for those who are in close proximity to others during a game, match, or other event to take a blow to the face that can harm the teeth. For instance, you might accidentally chip, crack, or break your enamel.
These types of injuries might seem minor on the surface, but can sometimes extend farther than you can see with the naked eye. Meanwhile, your dentist is an expert trained to spot potential problems and has state-of-the-art technology, such as digital dental X-rays, to help determine the extent of the damage and devise a customized treatment plan. In many cases, a dental crown can help restore the affected tooth’s appearance and function.
Issue #2: Fractured Roots
Although some injuries affect the crown, or biting portion, of your teeth, others can affect the roots. This can occur if you take a blow to the face at a certain angle, and because it exists below the gumline, you might not even notice it right away.
Then, the longer the issue goes untreated, the more likely you are to develop additional damage or disease, such as an infection, which might require a root canal to repair. This is usually followed by placing a customized restoration, such as a dental crown, so you can continue to eat, speak, and smile normally.
Issue #3: Tooth Loss
Not only can physical trauma break your teeth, but it can also completely dislodge one or more of them, which can cause intense discomfort. Tooth loss can also make once-simple tasks, such as biting and chewing or clearly enunciating words, much more challenging.
Then, your jaw starts to thin without as many roots in place to stimulate new bone growth each time you bite down. It can eventually become too frail to support your remaining teeth, but dental implants can hinder degeneration and help preserve the foundation of your mouth.
Thankfully, many common dental emergencies athletes experience can be prevented with a few basic precautions, such as brushing and flossing twice daily, visiting your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup and cleaning, and wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard to avoid dental damage during sports events!
About the Practice
Patients at Vista Dental Care benefit from two dentists who take pride in helping them build and maintain the happiest, healthiest versions of their smiles. Dr. Vong and Dr. Avendano collaborate to deliver a comprehensive menu of services, including same-day emergency visits, to meet your unique needs conveniently under one roof. Then, their compassionate approach is combined with advanced technology to deliver comfortable, accurate treatment results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (775) 626-3535.