Lost a Tooth Playing Sports? We Can Help
Sports related dental injuries are all too common, and while most will merely chip a tooth, sometimes a tooth can be knocked out completely. Unfortunately this often happens to teeth right in the front of the mouth creating a less-than-perfect smile. If you happen to have a tooth knocked out while playing sports there are various things that can be done straightaway to try to save the tooth, but speed is definitely of the essence as tooth reimplantation is most successful if it takes place within half an hour to an hour after the accident occurring.
If this happens to you or someone nearby then pick up the tooth very carefully, taking care not to touch the roots. You’ll need to rinse off any dirt before trying to reinsert the tooth, making sure it’s facing the right way. Once you’ve done this then support the tooth with a clean finger and make sure you come to Leeds City Dentalcare as soon as you can for emergency treatment. If you can’t face reinserting the tooth yourself then store the tooth in a container with a small amount of milk or water and bring it to us as soon as you can, or alternatively visit your local outpatients for help.
What Happens if the Tooth Cannot Be Saved?
Reimplantation isn’t always successful, and if it fails then you’re probably best off considering having a dental implant. You’ll need a consultation with Dr David Brown to see whether or not you’re suitable. Implant surgery is right for everybody, but it’s ideal for most people who are in good general and oral health. If you decide to go ahead then implant surgery will usually take three months or more to complete, and although this might seem to be quite a while, dental implants are definitely worth the effort.
Dental implants replace the natural root of the tooth with a titanium post, and this is used to support a crown or bridge. One of the massive advantages of choosing an implant is that it will replicate a natural tooth root, and will help to preserve the bone in your jaw. If you are considering dental implants, then it is better to have them as soon as you can, as this will help prevent bone loss. Although it may seem tempting to have a bridge for a while, and to have an implant at a later date, this is not a great option, as the healthy teeth either side of your knocked out tooth will have to be ground down and crowned to support the bridge. Even if you choose to have an implant later on, you will always need to have these teeth crowned.
Preventing Tooth Loss While Playing Sports
If you are keen on playing sports, especially contact sports, then it might well be worth your while investing in a custom made sports mouthguard. This is something that can be made for you by our dentist in Leeds City Dentalcare, and it is a very small price to pay for something that could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds in restorative dental care. A custom made mouthguard will offer far more protection than the ready-made mouthguards that can be purchased from a lot of chemists, and will be far more comfortable to wear.
Dr. David S Brown
David is principal dentist & clinical director of Leeds City Dentalcare. Having graduated at Leeds University & at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, he joined the practice in 1990 & took over as principal in 1992. He has a passion for ensuring that we are equipped with the very latest & finest equipment available securing our place as one of the best equipped practices in Yorkshire.
