{"id":275,"date":"2021-07-31T18:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T18:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.summercreekdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=275"},"modified":"2021-08-26T18:20:11","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T18:20:11","slug":"how-to-prevent-a-dental-emergency-as-an-athlete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.summercreekdentistry.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/31\/how-to-prevent-a-dental-emergency-as-an-athlete\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Common Dental Emergencies Among Athletes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you an athlete? If so, then you know all too well about the importance of caring for your muscles. However, have you been prioritizing your dental health as well? After all, the Journal of the American Dental Association reported as much as 39% of all dental injuries are sports-related! Keep reading to learn a few of the most common dental emergencies<\/a> that athletes sustain as well as some important prevention tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Most Common Dental Injuries Athletes Sustain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone. However, athletes are one of the most at-risk groups, especially when it comes to the below tooth-related injuries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cracked teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All it takes is one rogue ball or one accidental elbow to your mouth for your tooth to crack. If left untreated, the crack can worsen, resulting in oral pain and an increased risk of infection. So, if you notice a sharp pain when you bite down, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or any other abnormal symptoms, make sure to get in touch with your dentist right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fractured roots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A blow to your mouth won\u2019t just crack your tooth, it can fracture the root. In this case, the damage begins underneath the gums and works its way to the surface. Since this damage isn\u2019t visible to the naked eye, it\u2019s of the utmost importance that you seek treatment when the first signs arise (i.e., inflammation, oral pain, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knocked-out teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

5 million teeth are knocked out annually. If this happens to you, stay calm, locate the tooth, and call your emergency dentist. If you can, insert the tooth back into its socket (only if it goes in easily). Otherwise, keep the tooth in a glass of milk or a cup of your saliva until your dental appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Important Prevention Tactics for Athletes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, dental emergencies aren\u2019t 100% preventable. The good news is that athletes often follow best practices that benefit their oral health, like drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet. There are, however, a few other habits you should get into to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n