5 Dental Risks for Athletes & How to Avoid Them

If you’re an athlete or enjoy being active in your free time, you already know that injuries are a common part of being active. Unfortunately, this also means you’re at a higher risk of having a dental emergency in Memorial. In fact, there are several different types of oral health issues that athletes are more prone to than others. Here are five dental injuries you’re more likely to experience if you’re frequently active and how your dentist can help repair your smile if you get hurt.

1.) Knocked-Out Tooth

When people think of dental sports injuries, most think of knocked-out teeth, and for good reason! According to the American Dental Assistants’ Association, nearly 5 million Americans lose teeth in injuries related to sports every year. Thankfully, if you reach your Memorial emergency dentist within 30-60 minutes, it’s likely that your tooth can be reattached successfully.

2.) Cracked Tooth

Even though your teeth are harder than your bones, a quick blow to the face can break them. While most of the time it’s easy to tell if you’ve cracked a tooth, it’s not always so obvious. Keep an eye out for symptoms like sharp pain while biting or sensitivity while eating or drinking. Thankfully, there are a variety of ways your dentist can repair your damaged tooth, including direct bonding, porcelain veneers, or a dental crown.

3.) Fractured Roots

The visible portion isn’t the only part of your tooth that can be damaged while you’re being active. Underneath your gumline, the roots of your teeth can become fractured as well. Sometimes, this type of damage can be repaired with a root canal. However, other cases may require an extraction and tooth replacement.

4.) Sensitive or Weakened Teeth

Recent studies report that sports drinks may be worse for your teeth than soda. The harsh acidic nature of these beverages burns through your enamel much faster than other drinks. This can lead to sensitive, weakened teeth that are more susceptible to discoloration, chips, and cavities. Do your best to stay hydrated with water instead of brightly colored beverages.

5.) Tooth Decay or Gum Disease

A custom sports mouthguard can protect you from nearly all of these dental emergencies while you’re being active. However, if you don’t take care of it properly, plaque and bacteria can build up on the mouthguard and press against your teeth. Over time, this can dramatically increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health conditions. Aside from professionally cleaning your sports mouthguard twice a year, your dentist can help you keep your oral health on track by showing you the best ways to keep your mouthguard clean at home.

Even though sports related dental injuries are incredibly common, there are a variety of precautions you can take to keep your smile safe. Talk to your dentist today for personalized advice on how to best protect your pearly whites while you’re staying active!

About the Practice

Dr. Mark Gray has been caring for the smiles of Houston and the surrounding communities for over 30 years. With state-of-the-art technology, a variety of emergency dental treatments, and same-day appointments available, he aims to help his patients restore their healthy, pain-free, and intact smile as quickly as possible when trouble arises. Whether you need a same-day dental crown, root canal therapy, or gum disease treatment, he can help you overcome nearly any oral health issue or dental emergency quickly and comfortably. To learn more, he can be contacted via his website or at 281-493-9395.