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SPORTS SAFETY: AVOIDING TOOTH AND MOUTH INJURIES

Several years ago, a dental newsletter published what seemed like an unusual story. A boy snagged his teeth on a basketball net while doing a slam-dunk. A freakish accident? Not quite. After the article appeared, nearly 40 dentists wrote in with their own stories. They all told of would-be NBA stars who sacrificed their front teeth in pursuit of the perfect dunk.

Sports injuries are common in both children and adults. Dentists estimate that between 13% and 39% of dental injuries occur while playing sports. About 80% of all dental injuries affect at least one of the front teeth. Damage to the tongue or cheek is common, too.

BASIC PROTECTION

Even if a tooth has been knocked out, it often can be saved if you get to a dentist quickly enough. Sports teams and schools need to be aware of how to deal with a tooth that has been knocked out. Putting a permanent tooth back into the tooth socket is important. Baby teeth should not be put back into the socket, because it can damage the permanent tooth that is developing. A salt solution (saline) should be available to rinse the tooth and to put it back in within 20-40 minutes of the tooth being knocked out. The child or adult should then be seen by a dentist who will attach the tooth to the neighboring teeth so that it can heal and reattach to its tooth socket. If the tooth cannot be quickly reimplanted because of mouth injury or if multiple teeth are knocked out, then place the tooth in saliva or milk in a sealed bag or small jar and go to the dentist for treatment as soon as possible.

Minor chips and cracks can be repaired. Dentists use tooth-colored materials that are nearly as strong as the original tooth. However, even "minor" injuries can cause serious and costly damage. If you enjoy sports or other high-risk activities, protect yourself. The use of mouth guards among football players, for example, is believed to prevent about 200,000 mouth injuries a year.

Depending on the sport, two types of protection are available:

  • Helmets — A helmet is a must for activities that involve speed or impact. These include football, hockey, skating and bike riding. The helmet should fit correctly. It should also be appropriate for the sport you are playing.
  • Mouth guards — Wearing a mouth guard is one of the best ways to prevent injury to your teeth, tongue and lips. A custom-fit mouth guard from your dentist is recommended. The mouth guard is fabricated to fit on the upper teeth. It also can help to reduce the impact of head trauma and reduce the risk of concussions. This type of mouth guard usually fits better than a ready-made one (found in sporting goods stores). That means it may protect your teeth better.

If a custom-fit mouth guard isn't an option, try a "boil-and-bite" mouth guard. You can buy one in a sporting-goods store. You place the mouth guard in boiling water. Once the plastic is soft (but not too hot), you bite down on the mouth guard and mold the softened plastic around your teeth. If the mouth guard doesn't fit comfortably the first time, you can reheat it and do it again.

Mouthguards should be worn for all contact sports to prevent tooth, mouth and head injury. High risk sports should always utilize helmets and face guards to prevent dental, oral and facial injuries.

 

Last updated June 30, 2021

 

References:

  • Allison P, Tamimi F. Mouthguards should be worn in contact sports. Br J Sports Med. 2020 Sep;54(17):1016-1017. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102041. Epub 2020 Mar 27. PMID: 32220853.
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  • Black AM, Patton DA, Eliason PH, Emery CA. Prevention of Sport-related Facial Injuries. Clin Sports Med. 2017 Apr;36(2):257-278. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2016.11.002. Epub 2017 Jan 11. PMID: 28314416.
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  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Acute traumatic injuries: Assessment and documentation. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2020:580-1.