Emergency Dentist Tips: How To Deal With Dental Injuries from Sports

In playing sports such as basketball, soccer, softball, baseball, field hockey, gymnastics, etc, dental injuries are fairly common. You’ve seen players with their front teeth affected, or their cheeks and tongue damaged.

How can you avoid dental injuries?

Wear appropriate protection. In most games, players wear a mouth guard or a helmet.

For sports like biking, skating, hockey and football, helmets are suitable. And in order to gain maximum utility and protection, make sure that these pieces fit you correctly.

As for mouth guards, use something that your dentist has custom-fitted for you. Because they protect your teeth, lips, and tongue, you should think about better protection. The best way to ensure that this piece will fit you is to ask your dentist to make one for you. If this option is unavailable, go to sports stores and buy a boil and bite mouth guard.

Maintain your protective gear and regularly clean them. Before you use them, check that they are in good condition to ensure safety.

Emergency Dentist First Aid Treatments And Tips

Mouth injuries can still happen even if you use these protective gear. It is important that you should be aware of the things you need to do in order to prevent further damage. Here are first aid treatments and tips shared by an emergency dentist.

For knocked out tooth, hold it by the crown and then rinse it in water. Do not scrub or remove the attached tissue. Get a container and fill it with milk then store your tooth there. Go to your dentist at once.
For broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water first. Cold compress application to the area should be done then head to your dentist immediately.

For swelling of bitten cheek or tongue, apply cold compress to the affected area. Pay attention to bleeding. If it does not stop, emergency treatment is required so you have to go to your dentist or to the hospital.
For a jaw injury or fracture, see either a doctor or a dentist immediately. When the athlete is possibly suffering from this condition, apply cold compress to the affected area as you go on your way to seek for emergency treatment.

The chances of getting injured while playing sports cannot be eliminated. The best thing to do is to avoid it by wearing protective gear and knowing what you must do in case dental injury happens. Further damage can be prevented if first aid actions are applied on your way to seeking immediate treatment

Read more tips from your dentist in Zanesville, Ohio.