The number one injury among young adults are due to sports injuries. Baseball and Basketball are the two biggest mouth-injuring sport. “According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, craniofacial injuries sustained during sporting activities are a major source of nonfatal injury and disability in children and adults, accounting for up to 1/3 of all sports injuries. The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation estimates that more than three million teeth will be knocked out in youth sporting activities this year”.
To avoid dental injuries, it is very important to wear protective gear such as mouth guards and helmets. The American Dental Association has estimated that mouth guards prevent more than 200,000 injuries a year. A custom guard can be made for those children with a full set of permanent teeth. The guard provides full protection and is small enough so it does not interfere with breathing or communicating with teammates during games.
The importance of wearing a mouthguard during sports activity is well documented. The consequences of facial trauma include pain, loss of teeth, cost, etc. Custom mouthguards offer the most protection, whereas over-the-counter products such as a ‘stock tray’ or ‘boil and bite’ can provide some protection. When taking part in sports, some protection is definitely better than none at all.
Dentists’ try to the best of their abilities to preserve a persons natural tooth. Regardless of all preventive efforts your child may still hurt their teeth or jaw. These are a few pointers to handle dental emergencies:
- If a tooth is broken or cracked, then its suggested to call your dentist to make an appointment as soon as possible.
- If a tooth or teeth are displaced or punched out, then going to an emergency room is the best option because the tooth needs to be back in the mouth within 30 minutes for the best chance of survival.
- If past the 30 minute period: avoid touching the tooth, do not clean the tooth with water or avoid wiping it because it could cause more damage. Putting the tooth in a cup of milk or rinsing it with milk is advised, because milk provides nutrients to the cells around the root of the tooth that are still alive.
- If a fracture (jaw bone, teeth) or tear (gums, lips) is suspected, clean the area with warm water and then apply a cold compress. Go to the emergency room immediately and contact your dental office.
No matter how big or small the injury, caring properly for the mouth afterward is essential to successful healing. It is important to remember that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (Benjamin Franklin).” Continuing to practice excellent oral hygiene is extremely important and rewarding in the long run.
