Protect Your Mouth – Tips to Keep Your Mouth Safe From Impact

With some sports, such as football and hockey, there is no doubt that physical impact will happen. Mouthguards are a requirement for these sports and it is easy to see why. One blow to the mouth could injure or even lose many of your teeth. 

As with most things in dental, prevention is the best opportunity you have for keeping your teeth for your whole life. Whether it be cavities, cracked teeth, or lost teeth due to impact, they all can create major concern for your teeth and their long-term prognosis. Taking precautions can go a long way in preventing irreversible injury and damage to your teeth.

What Is Dental Trauma?

Our dentists have seen their fair share of dental trauma related to sports and play. It’s not just the typical high-impact sports that have brought patients into our dental office with dental emergencies. These are some common injuries that can also lead to dental trauma:

• Running with objects in the mouth such as a toothbrush.
• Biking or skateboarding
• Playing baseball or softball
• Dirt Biking or four wheeling

Avoiding activity while sucking on a sucker or brushing your teeth will help to prevent emergency trauma situations. Wearing a bike helmet while biking would eliminate nearly all dental trauma from riding a bike; however, it is important that the helmet fits properly so that it protects the way that it was designed to. The same goes for dirt biking and four-wheeling. Wearing an appropriate riding helmet and gear will help in protecting your head and body, should an accident happen. 

What To Do If Impact Has Happened?

If you experience an impact to your mouth, it is good to be watching for signs and symptoms that could indicate that your tooth has undergone trauma. If your tooth was hit hard, it may have been bumped loose or even fallen out completely. If this happens, it is important that you call your dentist right away.

If possible, you will want to put your displaced tooth into a cup of milk. I know this may sound crazy. You can actually dip the tooth in milk and then put it back into the tooth socket and head straight to your dentist or local emergency room. Your tooth may need a splint in which movement is minimized.

Also, after impact, you may notice that your tooth appears discolored over time. If this happens, it is good to be evaluated by your dentist to make sure the nerve of the tooth isn’t acting up.

Sometimes an infection can develop due to trauma of your tooth. Over time it usually brings about more pain and swelling and you may even notice a blister-like bubble develop near the root of your tooth. If you notice this on your gum tissue, it is a good idea to call your dentist for evaluation. 

Where Can I Get A Mouthguard?

Did you know that even if you play a sport that doesn’t require a mouth guard you can still have one made? It’s true and we actually make them custom-fit for your mouth. A custom mouth guard will help to protect your teeth should you get bumped in the mouth. 

The best thing about mouthguards is that they aren’t a huge investment but they offer a huge return! They protect your teeth from chips, cracks, and even from falling out when facing the toughest physical impact.

If you are interested in learning more about how a mouthguard could protect your smile, give us a call or feel free to ask us questions at your next appointment!