Youth participation in sports has grown slowly over the years. Over 25 million youth in North America are estimated to participate in competitive sports. Naturally, the increase in participation levels has also led to increased injuries. Of those injuries, about 20% are related to the maxillofacial region.
With this in mind, taking some precautions to protect your teeth and mouth while playing sports should be a no-brainer. At Royal Dentistry, we offer custom-made mouthguards in Dearborn to help protect our patient’s teeth and encourage them to continue engaging in the sports they love.
Types of Dental Injuries
Our dentist near you groups injuries to the teeth into three different categories, with specific treatments for each type.
#1 Fracture
It can be classified as a root fracture, chipped, or broken tooth. If you experience a fracture, try to stabilize your tooth, if possible, by gently biting down on a clean cloth or towel to control bleeding. I suggest getting to a dentist in Dearborn as soon as possible for treatment.
#2 Avulsion
In this case, the tooth is entirely knocked out of the socket. If this happens, gently handle the tooth by the crown, and be careful not to touch the root. If it is dirty, rinse it with water before placing the tooth back into the socket and gently biting down. If you cannot get the tooth back into its socket, store it in a shallow milk container until you can get to a dentist.
#3 Luxation
It is when the tooth is still in the socket but in the wrong position. In this case, don’t touch the tooth until you can get to a dental clinic.
Preventing Dental Injuries
Dental injuries can be easily prevented. Our team at Royal Dentistry recommends that you invest in mouth guards near you if you actively participate in competitive or recreational sports in which contact and collision are more likely to occur. Sports in which you should consider wearing a mouth guard include but are not limited to:
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Ice hockey
- Volleyball
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Football
Choosing a Mouth Guard
There are three types of mouthguards:
- Boil-and-bite mouth guards
- Custom-made mouthguard
- Stock/ready-made mouthguard
These mouthguards differ in price, fit, and comfort, but you will always get the best results and comfort from a custom-made mouthguard.
When you visit Royal Dentistry for a custom-made mouth guard, our dentist will take impressions of your teeth which will be sent to a dental laboratory where your custom guard will be manufactured. Since these guards are made to fit your specific mouth structure, they will provide optimal protection and comfort. While stock mouthguards may be cheaper, they tend to wear faster, slip around during sports play, and hinder speaking and breathing abilities.
Visit Royal Dentistry
If you are an avid sports player, our team of dedicated dental professionals at Royal Dentistry wants to cheer you on! For this reason, we offer custom-made mouthguards so our patients can continue winning on the field without compromising their oral health. If you would like to be fitted for a custom mouthguard, please do not hesitate to contact our team and book a consultation today!