Participation in different kinds of sports is a very good way of keeping oneself fit and boosting confidence levels, along with many more benefits. Nevertheless, participation in sports brings about a high level of danger of oral injury, ranging from broken teeth to a broken jaw. Individuals who don’t wear mouth guards during sports can easily get injured. Therefore, the use of an athletic mouthguard Duluth becomes one easy answer to all dangers raising towards your teeth during sport.

Causes of Dental Injuries in Sports

There are several major reasons why dental injuries occur while playing sports. They include:

  • Contact between players
  • Falling down on a hard surface
  • Injuries caused by sports equipment
  • Unintentional collisions
  • Fast-moving objects such as balls.
Athletic mouthguard Duluth shown during dental fitting exam
Athletic Mouthguard Duluth Custom Fitting Process

What Protection Does an Athletic Mouthguard Provide?

An athletic mouthguard Duluth offers much better protection to your entire teeth and jawline. It acts as a shock absorber that helps distribute impacts throughout your mouth and jaw when you get a blow.

Using an athletic mouth guard can help you minimize the effects of such injuries by protecting the mouth and reinforcing it in several ways.

  • Protection Beyond the Teeth

A properly-fitted mouthguard may help lower your chances of:

  • Chipped teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Injuries to your lips and cheeks
  • Injuries to your tongue
  • Jaw trauma

In some cases, even light contact will result in cracks deep enough to extend beneath the gumline. Seeking immediate broken tooth pain relief Duluth will then become necessary to save you from the pain. 

Jaw and Soft Tissue Injuries are Severe Than You Think

In addition to cracked teeth, a hit to the face during athletics may also cause damage to other oral parts, including the jaw or soft tissue surrounding the teeth.

Athletes suffer from cuts and tears in the cheeks, lips, and tongue when these soft tissues strike against their own teeth during the collision.

  • Effects of Jaw Injury on Your Oral Health

A jaw injury can result in several symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort. It can lead to complications like:

  • Chronic pain in the jaw
  • Chewing problems
  • Cracking sounds
  • Pain in the TMJ joints
  • Misaligned bite

All of the complications mentioned above will necessitate more treatment costs than most athletes anticipate.

These injuries need urgent professional help. Delayed action can lessen the possibilities of saving your teeth from damage. That’s why having access to an emergency dentist Duluth makes a huge difference.

Symptoms When You Need Urgent Dental Treatment

You should consult a dentist immediately when your dental condition gets out of control. Below are the situations that demand urgent dental care:

  • Lost a tooth
  • Severe toothache
  • Bleeding that cannot be stopped
  • A large amount of swelling
  • A cracked tooth exposing nerves
  • Injuries involving facial bones

Early treatment will ensure better results and less risk of serious consequences.

Immediate Actions If You Get Injured

In case you lose a tooth during a game, take care of it and try to ensure it stays wet until the dentist takes control.

If you have a terrible pain in your teeth due to injuries, do not ignore the issue thinking it will heal in time on its own. Instead, having quick access to an emergency dentist Duluth can make a big difference.

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Conclusion 

Sports-related injuries are not just limited to physical pain and poor performance in your game. One blow can break several teeth, cause trauma to the jaw, require urgent medical attention, and even be expensive from the point of view of future dental expenses. The use of an appropriate mouthguard is probably the easiest way to keep your smile protected.

FAQs

How should I react to breaking a tooth during a game? 

After rinsing your mouth with warm water, you have to seek immediate medical assistance. Also, save all the broken pieces so that they can be fixed. Prompt action guarantees better treatment and broken tooth pain relief Duluth.

How frequently should I replace a sports mouthguard? 

A mouthguard should be monitored at least once every six months. You need to get a replacement faster if you are an adolescent whose teeth keep changing as a result of growth.

Does damage to the front teeth common in sports?

Though front teeth are often affected after a direct collision during sports, other areas can also be affected. Wearing a good-fitting mouthguard protects the entire mouth against injury.

Can a sport-related accident lead to dental complications weeks after the injury?

Yes. There is a possibility of dental complications developing or showing up weeks after you got the injury.  There could be pain, sensitivity, staining, or swelling that can arise weeks later.

Can I use the same sports mouth guard for consecutive seasons?

This may depend on whether your mouth guard is still suitable and fits well. Mouth guards deteriorate over time and could stop being effective. Children or teenagers require a mouth guard replacement more often than adults.

Do custom mouth guards make sense for recreational athletes?

Yes, even when you are playing the sport as a recreational activity, you need proper protection. Though the chances of injuries get higher in competitive sports, that does not mean that you can take recreational games for granted.  

Author

Dr. Kimi Patel 

Author BioDr. Kimi Patel is an alumni of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry whose mission involves offering high-quality, empathic, patient-oriented dentistry. Her main concern lies in the education of her patients and the development of customized dental programs.