Tackling the Problem of Sporting Dental Injuries

Exercise is essential to wellbeing, but some sports do carry the danger of physical injury, including damage to teeth. Dental injuries are a common problem in sport and unfortunately it is usually front teeth that bear the brunt of any impact.

Alongside visible damage to the front teeth, it’s also possible to damage the jaw and the tooth roots through injuries that cause you to clamp your jaw down suddenly. This movement can shatter teeth or crack the roots, causing considerable pain.

Damage can include fractures to the teeth, broken teeth, teeth being knocked out of position – or knocked out completely. Then there is the problem of cuts to the gums and inner cheek as well as the tongue.

Despite these risks, lots of people take part in sports every year. It comes as little surprise that one of the main sports associated with dental injuries is rugby, however martial arts, basketball, football, hockey, boxing, skateboarding and racket sports can all present a danger to dental health.

Essentially any sport where there is a risk of collision or failing at a fast speed could carry a threat of dental injury. With this in mind, we’re exploring the types of injuries you might face, and how you can protect yourself while playing sports to minimise the risk of a catastrophic injury.

Who is most at risk from sporting dental injuries?

Most sports carry some level of risk, even those that might seem innocent enough, like badminton or volleyball.

The list of sports that include some risk of dental injury is not exhaustive, but it could include football, rugby, American football, baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, ice skating, softball, tennis, badminton, volleyball, cricket, paddle, skateboarding, roller skating, cycling, mountain biking, skiing, sailing, horse riding, aerial arts, gymnastics, and surfing.

The risk is greater with contact sports, where you might run into other players, sports where you travel at speed or at height, and sports with equipment like bats and racquets.

The young and the old are also at greater risk of injury, usually because of diminished coordination and athletic ability. Those who are already injured or out of shape will also put themselves at greater risk of harm. Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to protect your oral health while you play sports.

Preventing a sporting dental injury

While there is a chance that broken teeth can be repaired, the repercussions of a sporting dental injury can be long-lasting. There is also the risk that the injury might not have any outwardly visible damage, so the patient doesn’t seek treatment. However, there may be invisible damage to the teeth that takes months or even years to surface.

Rather than risk a sporting dental injury, children and adults who take part in sports – certainly contact sports or those which carry an increased risk of injury – should consider wearing a mouth guard to protect their teeth.

The best option for protecting your teeth from a sporting dental injury is wearing a custom-made mouth guard that can be fitted by your dentist. A good fit is essential to prevent injury. If the mouth guard can easily fall out on impact, then it won’t do much good. It could even become a choking hazard.

A dentist will ensure the best fit possible by taking an impression of the patient’s teeth then having a mould made to fit. The close fit will allow for maximum comfort while playing sport as well as a good level of protection.

While off-the-shelf mouth guards are available, these are not recommended as a rule as the fit is not generally close enough to adequately protect teeth from injury. However, if the cost of a custom mouth guard is standing in your way of securing one, then an off the shelf mouthguard is a wise investment.

With these mouthguards, you’ll need to heat them in hot water and then place it in your mouth. You’ll bite down and hold it there while the material cools. Once completed, you’ll have a mouth guard that offers some protection.

Invest wisely

There is the alternative of using a ‘boil and bite’ mouth guard which will give a closer fit than an off-the-shelf version, however this will not offer the same protection and comfort as a specially fitted mouth guard.

There is often excess material, which can make it more difficult to breathe while you are wearing it. There’s also the risk that it could trigger your gag reflex, which could be very uncomfortable. It might also trigger saliva production, which could be very distracting when you play sports.

If you have braces, it is absolutely essential that you invest in a custom mouth guard. Trying to use a boil and bite mouth guard while wearing braces could cause considerable damage to your dental apparatus.

Keeping your mouth guard clean and effective

Repeated wear and biting down on your mouth guard can wear down the material and make it less effective over time. It’s important to check your mouth guard and look for signs of wear and tear, particularly on the biting surface. If this material becomes very thin or develops holes, you might not have the same level of protection.

Another issue is hygiene. You’ll need to clean your mouth guard after every use and make sure you are storing it in a clean and dry place. Failure to complete this step could lead to a nasty build up of bacteria that will cause your mouth guard to smell and taste strange. This could be very distracting while you are trying to play sports and could even cause illness.

And finally, you should never share a mouth guard with another person. There is no scenario where this would be a good idea. A mouth guard that is not designed to fit your bite won’t be effective, and could become a choking hazard.

Final thoughts on mouth guards for sports

When it comes to playing sport don’t let the risk of injury hold you back – instead invest in your health with a well-fitting mouth guard before the worst happens.

For more information on mouth guards to protect against sporting dental injuries contact Bhandal Dental Surgery.