Dental Injuries and Athletic Activity

If the tooth is completely knocked out of the socket, follow these guidelines:

• Do not handle the tooth by its roots.
• If there is debris on the tooth, rinse it with saline solution
• Try to replace the tooth back into the socket as quickly as possible. Stabilize the tooth by biting down lightly on a gauze pad, handkerchief or towel.
• If you are unable to replant the tooth, place it in the athlete’s saliva or sterile saline solution.
• The last resort would be to place the tooth in a cup of water.
• Transport the athlete immediately to a dentist.

You need to get the tooth replanted within 30 minutes of injury for the highest degree of success.

Fractured Tooth
When a tooth is fractured, it is often very sensitive due to exposed nerve endings. An athlete with a fractured tooth is more comfortable keeping their mouth closed. The following should be done when a fractured tooth occurs:

• Keep/collect any loose portions of the tooth and take them with you to the dentist.
• Stabilize the remaining piece of tooth with a gauze pad, handkerchief or towel.
• Immediately transport the athlete and tooth fragment to the dentist.

Mouth Guards
A majority of dental injuries can be prevented if the individual wears a fitted mouth piece/guard. If you have any questions, contact your dentist.

Refer to the following website for further information on dental injuries:
http://www.sportsdds.com/