Anatomy
The milk teeth are replaced in infancy, after which the permanent teeth emerge. Incisors are usually replaced around 6-12 years of age. Traumatic dental injuries are seen at all ages, but most commonly between the ages of 8-12 and most commonly affect milk teeth.
Cause
Direct blows to the teeth can cause damage to the hard tooth tissue (enamel, dentin, cementum), the tooth’s nerve (pulp) or the tooth’s supporting tissue (periodontium). Teeth can become so damaged that they fracture, fall out or damage the blood supply to the tooth, causing permanent damage.
Symptoms
Looseness of the tooth, bleeding from the gums, pain in the tooth, altered bite, feeling new sharp edges on the teeth with the tongue.
Examination
If after a trauma, the athlete reports a sensation of changes in the bite, looseness of the tooth, bleeding from the gums or tooth pain, an assessment should be carried out by a specialist (possibly the dental emergency service). The outcome of the treatment depends on how quickly you come in for an examination.
Treatment
Tooth damage on baby teeth is often not treated, but may be indicated for use on baby teeth, for example. Tooth damage to permanent teeth usually requires treatment. If permanent teeth are knocked out (or larger pieces of the tooth are knocked off), the tooth is cleaned with running water only. The knocked out tooth can then be put back into the bone or stored in clean water or milk and taken to the dentist (dental emergency). Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.
At the slightest doubt, the athlete should therefore visit a dentist for an assessment. The dentist will then assess how many teeth are involved in the trauma, the colour, location and vitality of the teeth, assess the need for observation, replace the tooth, build up the teeth with plastic or tooth fragments, or remove the teeth and appropriate control. (Mordini L, et al. 2021)
Complications
The tooth may fall out or become discoloured.
Especially
Mouthguards significantly and well-documented reduce the risk of tooth damage. It is advisable to increase the use of mouthguards in many contact sports (Grillo R, et al. 2023). For dental injuries requiring treatment, consider waiting to start contact sports until the tooth has healed to avoid re-injuring the tooth while it is trying to heal.
Dental injuries should be reported to your insurance company as there may be sequelae that require further treatment.
