Athletic Emergencies: 3 Common Issues & Treatments

You likely already know that brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums to help prevent dental emergencies. However, there’s no guarantee that you won’t sustain and injury that requires immediate attention, especially if you’re an athlete.

Those participating in team sports or frequently engaging in strenuous exercise are more likely to harm their smiles. Continue reading to learn about 3 common concerns to avoid!

Issue #1: Chips and Cracks

If you’re engaged in close-contact sports or martial arts, a single blow to the face can damage one or more teeth. This type of injury exerts enough pressure on your enamel to chip or crack it. You might assume it’s merely a surface issue, but you can’t always see the full extent of the harm done without X-rays or other imaging. Furthermore, once the structure of your tooth is compromised, bacteria in your mouth can more easily penetrate it to infect the tender pulp inside.

Based on your circumstances, your dentist can examine your condition to suggest appropriate solutions, like dental bonding or a dental crown. However, they may recommend extraction and replacement if your pearly white is too far gone to be saved.

Issue #2: Fractured Roots

Sometimes, when you’ve been injured, the force of the blow travels at an angle to break the roots of your teeth rather than the crown that sits above your gumline. These wounds allow germs to enter the internal canals, resulting in a painful infection that won’t resolve itself. The longer you wait to be treated, the more likely you are to suffer permanent damage to the nerves inside.

Often, any emergency root canal can successfully remove the diseased materials to prevent necrosis that leads to tooth loss. Once the problem has been addressed, you’ll be fitted with a dental crown to protect your chomper from further harm while restoring its appearance and functionality.

Issue #3: Tooth Intrusion

Unfortunately, tooth intrusions are another common injury among athletes. This type of trauma occurs when your teeth are hit with so much pressure that they are driven back into your jawbone. This can cause the root to fuse with your alveolar bone in a condition called ankylosis which contributes to dental misalignments. This can wear down your enamel too quickly, increasing your vulnerability to disease and decay.

Your provider can assess your situation to provide appropriate treatments, like potential oral surgery, to address it.

Thankfully, your dentist can provide a custom-fitted oral appliance, like a mouthguard, to wear during physical activities to safeguard your smile!

About the Practice

At Harris Parkway Dental Care, you benefit from two dentists who are eager to help improve your daily life by enhancing your oral health. Dr. Zahawi and Dr. Vasquez have 20+ years of combined experience providing a complete array of services, including emergency dentistry. Their welcoming office environment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results intended to last. If you’ve sustained an injury and need help, they will fit you in as soon as possible so you don’t have to wait for relief. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (817) 423-2223.