In sports, the challenge is to maximize the benefits of participation and to limit injuries. Sports dentistry has a major role to play in this area. Prevention and adequate preparation are the key elements in minimizing injuries that occur in sport. For sports dentistry the prevention of oral/ facial trauma during sporting activities can be helped by many facets. Included are teaching proper skills such as tackling technique, purchase and maintenance of appropriate equipment, safe playing areas and certainly the wearing and utilization of properly fitted protective equipment.

In some sports, injury prevention, through properly fitted mouthguards are considered essential. These are the contact sports of football, boxing, martial arts and hockey. Other sports, traditionally classified as non contact sports, basketball, baseball, bicycle riding, roller blading, soccer, wrestling, racquetball, surfing and skateboarding also require properly fitted mouthguards, as dental injuries unfortunately, are a negative aspect of participation in these sports.

Pearly whites that are the most susceptible to injury are situated at the front of the mouth, which means people who suffer the loss of teeth from this area can experience a loss of self-esteem and confidence.

It is common knowledge that the majority of sports can involve an increased risk of injury from muscle strain to a broken limb, but it is vital for members of the public to know what course of action to take if they sustain a serious dental injury.

Mounthguards
Properly diagnosed, designed, and custom fabricated mouthguards are essential in the prevention of athletic oral/facial injuries.

A properly fitted mouthguard must be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear resistant, odorless, tasteless, not bulky, cause minimal interference to speaking and breathing, and (possibly the most important criteria) have excellent retention, fit, and sufficient thickness in critical areas. There are 4 types of mouthguards

Stock Mouthguard
Mouth formed or Boil and Bite Mouthguard
Vacuum Custom made Mouthguard
Pressure Laminated custom made
Treatments
Cuts and scrapes to the mouth and face can produce a lot of blood due to the strong supply to this area of the body. It is vital for injured sports players not to panic in a bid to ensure the issue does not get worse as a result. In addition, players should determine how serious the injuries are and where the dental damage lies in the list of priorities.

The type of treatment that is required is usually determined when an examination has taken place. We recommend that medical treatment should be received within one hour, particularly if it involves a dislodged or missing tooth.

Individuals who have suffered a chipped or fractured tooth may experience a lot of pain and discomfort. Therefore, lodging a piece of sugar-free gum onto the damaged tooth is recommended to stop the cold air reaching the open space.

In cases where a tooth has become dislodged and moved out of place, it is often possible to save the pearly white. Patients should not pull the tooth out and apply a cold compress to the face in a bid to reduce any pain or swelling that has been caused. Sportsman should ensure they visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.

A sports player whose tooth has been knocked out completely should try to ensure they do not panic and seek treatment from an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Individuals who sustain this type of injury should locate their tooth before visiting our clinic to allow it to be fixed back into the socket.