Early in life, parents and educators often push children and young people into organized sporting activities. The main concern for parents and caregivers is the risk of injury when playing the sport. Forty- percent of all oral injuries are associated with playing a sport, according to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Understanding the most common oral injuries in sports can give coaches and parents an idea of what to look for when a trauma to the head occurs.
1. Cracked Teeth
A dentist in Tampa FL will see several instances of cracked teeth, with most of these injuries caused by a blow to the face. Cracked teeth can take two forms, including craze lines and cracked crowns. Craze lines are not usually a concern for a dentist in Tampa FL, because they are tiny cracks in the enamel. The cracked crown is a concern and is characterized by pain when biting down. The damage done by a cracked crown includes occasional toothache growing worse over time.
2. Jaw Dislocation
The common trauma experienced when playing sports is a cracked tooth, but oral injuries can include jaw damage. Injuries to the jaw can take more forms than just damaged teeth and gums, with a dislocated jaw seen by many oral health specialists. A dislocated jaw includes the inability to move the mouth following a popping sound during impact. In some cases, the dislocated jaw is easy to see because the face becomes misaligned.
3. Teeth Avulsions
There are several stories of those who have lost teeth having them reinserted by a dental professional. Teeth avulsions are lost teeth that are found at the site of the injury and reinserted by a dentist. The teeth should be reinserted by a dental professional within thirty minutes, with teeth stored in milk or a sterile solution lasting even longer.
4. Tooth Displaced Within the Socket
A tooth still held within its socket but moved to a misaligned position can cause problems. In this rare occurrence, the most common treatment is to allow a physician to move the tooth back into its usual position before a dentist supplies treatment.
5. Fractured Roots
Colgate reports the issue of a fractured root is a difficult one. A fracture in the crown of a tooth is easy to identify, but those affecting the roots are harder to see. The athlete may be unaware of any fractured root because it develops in the root hidden beneath the gum line. Most patients with a fractured root only feel pain when an infection occurs.
6. Tooth Intrusion
Oral injuries do not need to include the loss of a tooth. In younger children, tooth intrusions can occur when the alveolar bones have yet hardened. A blow to the face can push a tooth inward and damage the root and socket. The damaged tooth can be injured to an extent where it begins to die without treatment.
Several oral injuries can be caused by a blow to the face needing the assistance of a dentist in Tampa FL. The use of helmets and mouthguard is recommended when playing sports where oral injuries are common.