Teens and Sports Injuries: How Your Dentist Can Help

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Teens reap a lot of benefits from participating in organized sports, including learning how to function well as a part of a team. However, some sports are a bit more physical than others, and some pose more risk of injury. Here’s looking at you football and hockey. If your teen has recently suffered a sports injury, including one that requires immediate dental attention, Dr. Paul Bell, your dentist in Victorville, CA, can help.

Most Common Sports Dental Injuries

Some of the most common dental sports injuries occur during contact sports. They include:

  • Tooth fractures (tooth appears to be cracked or broken)
  • Tooth intrusion (tooth appears to be driven vertically into the gums)
  • Tooth extrusion (tooth appears to extend too far vertically out of the gums)
  • Tooth avulsion ( tooth is “knocked out”)
  • Dislocation of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

All injuries like these can be painful, and most require immediate medical attention if the affected tooth is to be saved. Even an avulsed tooth can often be saved and re-implanted if your teen gets to the dentist quickly.

How Will My Teen’s Dentist Treat a Sports Injury?

Sports injuries are treated just like any other dental emergency. Alleviating your child’s pain is our top concern. After your teen is comfortable, we’ll perform an exam to discover the scope of the damage. This may include taking X-rays or performing other diagnostic tests. And we’ll always try to save the natural tooth. Teeth that have been cracked or broken may be treated by adding fillings and crowns, by performing a root canal, or by extracting the tooth if it’s too damaged to save.

Teeth that are intruded or extruded can often be gently repositioned or in some instances, may require a root canal procedure. Dislocation of the TMJ usually requires a procedure that’s performed under sedation.

Help for Dental Sports Injury in Victorville

For dental sports injury treatment in Victorville, CA, call A. Paul S. Bell, DDS. Dr. Bell specializes in providing pediatric dental services to young patients in and around Victorville. Call today to schedule a consultation or emergency appointment.

Sources

Emergency Dentist for Kids in Victorville

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4482297/

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/knocked-out-tooth-avulsed-tooth#

When Is It a Dental Emergency?

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Dental emergencies can be scary! Knowing what to do when you’re experiencing a dental emergency can help you save your tooth or avoid a painful, difficult problem. When you’re having a dental emergency, it’s also important to see the dentist in Victorville CA. Below, we’ve listed the signs of a dental emergency. Here’s what you need to know.

You’ve Lost a Permanent Tooth

You should never lose a permanent tooth, so if one of your permanent teeth falls out, then it’s important to get to the dentist right away. The faster you can get to the dentist, the more likely it will be that the dentist can put your tooth back in your mouth. If your dentist is unable to put back your natural tooth, then you may be a candidate for a prosthetic tooth, like an implant.

You’re in Serious Pain or Your Gums are Swollen

Don’t ignore pain in your mouth, especially if the pain is severe or accompanied by swelling of the gums. If you’re in serious pain, call the dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. When scheduling your appointment, make a point to mention your discomfort, so they’ll know that you need immediate help.

Your Tooth is Chipped or Broken

A chipped or broken tooth can be a dental emergency, depending on the injury. Call the dentist right away to get advice.

You’re Bleeding

If you’ve injured your mouth and your teeth are bleeding, you may have damaged your teeth. Call the dentist to find out if you need to come in for an examination.

If you’re experiencing any of the above problems, call for dental emergency help in Victorville CA. We can help you with problems like a lost or broken tooth, severe pain and more.

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