The Reality of Youth Sports and Dental Risks
Why Dental Injuries Happen
Common Sports-Related Dental Injuries
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
Displaced or Loosened Teeth
Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Teeth
Root Fractures
Immediate Action Steps: What to Do on the Field
Handling a Knocked-Out Tooth
- Find the tooth. Pick it up by the crown (the white biting part), never by the root. Touching the root can damage the delicate cells needed for reattachment.
- Rinse it gently. If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or saline. Do not scrub it or use soap.
- Preserve the tooth. If you can’t put it back in, place the tooth in a container of cold milk or perform the “cheek pouch” method (keeping it inside the cheek) if the child is old enough not to swallow it. Do not keep it in water.
- Get to the dentist immediately.
Managing a Chipped or Broken Tooth
- Find the broken fragment. If you can find the piece of tooth, bring it with you. Sometimes it can be bonded back on.
- Rinse the mouth. Use warm water to clean the area.
- Cold compress. Apply a cold pack to the cheek to reduce swelling.
- Call us. Even if it doesn’t hurt, a break can leave the nerve vulnerable to bacteria.
Dealing with Soft Tissue Injuries
- Clean the area. Rinse with salt water or mild antiseptic.
- Apply pressure. Use a clean gauze or tea bag to apply firm pressure to the bleeding site for 15-20 minutes.
- Ice. Use ice to control swelling and pain.
- Assess. If the bleeding doesn’t stop or the cut looks deep, you may need stitches.
Why You Need an Emergency Kids Dentist in Glendale
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The First Line of Defense: Athletic Mouthguards
Types of Mouthguards
- Stock Mouthguards: These are the pre-formed ones you buy at sporting goods stores. They are inexpensive but often fit poorly. Because they require the jaw to be closed to hold them in place, they can make breathing and talking difficult. They offer the least protection.
- Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards: Also available at stores, these offer a better fit. You boil them in water to soften the material and then bite into them to shape them to your teeth. While better than stock guards, they can still be bulky and become thin in spots where the biting force was too strong during fitting.
- Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: These are made by your dentist. We take an impression of your child’s teeth and create a guard that fits perfectly. They are comfortable, allow for easy breathing and speech, and offer superior protection because the thickness is customized to the sport and the patient’s mouth.
Why Custom is Worth the Investment
What Sports Require Mouthguards?
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Gymnastics
- Skateboarding
- Mountain Biking
- Martial Arts
- Wrestling
Long-Term Consequences of Dental Trauma
The Psychological Impact
Creating a Dental Safety Kit for Your Team
- Save-a-Tooth System: A balanced salt solution that preserves knocked-out teeth for up to 24 hours.
- Sterile Gauze: To control bleeding.
- A Small Container: To hold a tooth (if you don’t have the preservation solution, this can hold the milk).
- Pain Reliever: Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (check with parents before administering).
- Ice Pack: Instant cold packs are great for sidelines.
- Dentist’s Contact Info: Have the number for Infinite Dental Wellness programmed into your phone.
When to See a Dentist vs. The ER
- There is a loss of consciousness or concussion symptoms (dizziness, nausea, memory loss).
- There is severe facial bone fracture or jaw fracture.
- The bleeding cannot be controlled with pressure.
- The airway is compromised.
- A tooth is knocked out , loose, or broken.
- There is pain in the tooth or gums.
- There is a cut on the lip or gum (dentists are expert at stitching these delicate areas).