Athletics are a great way to stay healthy and have fun while getting important cardiovascular exercise. Whether it’s a pick-up soccer game, competitive swimming, or rock climbing and hiking in the great outdoors, sports and fitness are rewarding hobbies. Unfortunately, however, dentists know all too well that athletes can endure dental trauma in higher numbers. Research estimates that up to 39% of dental injuries occur during athletic events such as solo or team sporting activities.
Being prepared for dental emergencies not only benefits you, but others around you who may need help after an accident. Identifying when critical care is needed, based on the most common dental emergencies, will help you handle situations more confidently when accidents occur. If you require an emergency dentist, contact Metropolitan Dental Care’s Denver, CO office right away at 303.534.2626. We will do our best to see you as soon as possible.
When you Need Immediate Care
Sports, and especially contact sports, are well-known for causing injuries. Whether it’s a friendly game of flag football or a championship lacrosse game, accidents can occur when competitive play is involved. If you or someone you know experiences trauma to the face, pain is going to be the most common sign that critical damage has occurred to teeth or gums. If severe tooth or gum pain occurs, do not wait to seek help. If you have teeth that have loosened in their socket, have been completely knocked out, or gums that are severely bleeding, you are experiencing a dental emergency; call our Denver office right away so we can restore and protect the health of your mouth.
However, if a tooth chips slightly, and presents minimal discomfort, emergency procedures may not be necessary. It’s safe to go ahead and contact our Denver office to alert us of the situation, and allow us to schedule an appointment at our next opening.
Common Dental Emergencies
Preparation is key when it comes to a dental emergency. Learning to distinguish a dental emergency from a standard dental issue will help you receive the care you need within the right timeframe. In any case, it’s always acceptable to take over-the-counter medications to help reduce painful symptoms of tooth or gum damage.
Below are three of the most common dental emergencies that occur during sports and fitness activities, as well as tips on how to handle the situation until you can be seen by a member of our Denver team.
- Knocked-out Tooth: If your tooth has become loose from the gums, retrieve it (if possible) and keep it in a container filled with milk. This keeps the tooth in a protected environment in case a dentist can place it back in its socket during the restorative procedure.
- Fractured Tooth: When a piece of tooth has broken completely off, try to save the lost piece and bring it to the appointment. Use over-the-counter dental wax to cover any pointed edges of the damaged tooth until you can be seen by our team.
- Soft Tissue Trauma: When bleeding or lacerations happen to the gums, inner cheeks, tongue, or other soft oral tissues, continually rinse your mouth with salt water and use clean gauze to apply pressure to the injury. While not every soft tissue injury is a dental emergency, our staff can help you determine the next steps for proper healing.
Reach Out for More Information
Unfortunately, accidents are a part of life, but they shouldn’t keep you back from playing the sports you love! With preparation, you can handle dental emergencies confidently and quickly. If you want more information about our emergency services, our Denver dentists can help. Contact us at 303.534.2626.
