Participation in contact sports such as rugby and football pose a great risk of dental injuries to both professional athletes and amateurs.
However, did you know that one of the most common types of injury associated with sport activities is dental injury? Dentists estimate that between 13%-39% of all injuries to the mouth and teeth are due to contact sports with the majority of victims being older children and adults. What's even more worrying is these injuries are easily preventable.
Common dental injuries caused by sport
Damage to the two front teeth, or the Incisors, account for almost 80% of dental injuries during sports, however there are many more injuries which occur on a daily basis, which include:
* Broken or fractured teeth
* Loss of teeth
* Fractured or broken jaw
* Cuts to the tongue, lips and gums
* Bruising to the lips and cheeks
The sport which is regularly associated with dental injuries and tooth loss is ice hockey. Each game regularly involves players crashing into one another, slamming into sideboards and even forcibly hitting one another with their sticks and arms. Due to the sport's 'macho' attitude, players are frequently seen without full, facial protection and as a result the average professional is expected to lose several teeth during a playing career.
Even sports which aren't regarded as contact games such as cricket or basketball still carry a potential risk of dental injury. These games don't require every player to wear protection significantly increasing the chance of collisions causing severe damage to the mouth.
Restorative procedures for dental injuries
Dental injuries suffered by athletes are treated slightly differently than an average person due to the higher risk of further damage to the mouth. The tendency for most professionals is to have a permanent procedure once they retire, in the mean time players who suffer from tooth loss often opt for a partial denture.
Dentures have become an excellent short-term solution for athletes as they allow the person to eat, speak and function comfortably whilst supporting the face and lips, allowing them to have a natural appearance before a more permanent replacement is fitted.
A partial denture also provides an excellent solution for athletes to maintain their appearances off the pitch, allowing them to smile with confidence. It will also help players speak and eat normally until a more permanent implant is fitted.
Lowering the risks of dental injuries with protection
There are two common ways players are increasingly protecting themselves from facial injuries:
* A professional mouth guard which is properly fitted to cover your teeth and gums can drastically lower your chances of tooth loss as well as softening the impact of heavy collisions to the cheeks and gums.
2. For games such as lacrosse, rugby and, American football, a helmet or headguard is usually regarded as an essential protective item as they usually involve high speeds or impact.
However, did you know that one of the most common types of injury associated with sport activities is dental injury? Dentists estimate that between 13%-39% of all injuries to the mouth and teeth are due to contact sports with the majority of victims being older children and adults. What's even more worrying is these injuries are easily preventable.
Common dental injuries caused by sport
Damage to the two front teeth, or the Incisors, account for almost 80% of dental injuries during sports, however there are many more injuries which occur on a daily basis, which include:
* Broken or fractured teeth
* Loss of teeth
* Fractured or broken jaw
* Cuts to the tongue, lips and gums
* Bruising to the lips and cheeks
The sport which is regularly associated with dental injuries and tooth loss is ice hockey. Each game regularly involves players crashing into one another, slamming into sideboards and even forcibly hitting one another with their sticks and arms. Due to the sport's 'macho' attitude, players are frequently seen without full, facial protection and as a result the average professional is expected to lose several teeth during a playing career.
Even sports which aren't regarded as contact games such as cricket or basketball still carry a potential risk of dental injury. These games don't require every player to wear protection significantly increasing the chance of collisions causing severe damage to the mouth.
Restorative procedures for dental injuries
Dental injuries suffered by athletes are treated slightly differently than an average person due to the higher risk of further damage to the mouth. The tendency for most professionals is to have a permanent procedure once they retire, in the mean time players who suffer from tooth loss often opt for a partial denture.
Dentures have become an excellent short-term solution for athletes as they allow the person to eat, speak and function comfortably whilst supporting the face and lips, allowing them to have a natural appearance before a more permanent replacement is fitted.
A partial denture also provides an excellent solution for athletes to maintain their appearances off the pitch, allowing them to smile with confidence. It will also help players speak and eat normally until a more permanent implant is fitted.
Lowering the risks of dental injuries with protection
There are two common ways players are increasingly protecting themselves from facial injuries:
* A professional mouth guard which is properly fitted to cover your teeth and gums can drastically lower your chances of tooth loss as well as softening the impact of heavy collisions to the cheeks and gums.
2. For games such as lacrosse, rugby and, American football, a helmet or headguard is usually regarded as an essential protective item as they usually involve high speeds or impact.
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If you have suffered from tooth loss due to a sports injury visit the BACDT Directory website to search for a local clinical dental technician who specialises in new dentures, implants or any denture related issues.