At an update course I attended recently, footage was shown of NBA players spitting out fully dislocated teeth in the heat of competitive basketball.  This doesn’t really set the best example for the do’s and don’ts following a sporting injury to teeth!

I guess the assumption that goes with that behaviour is that teeth can easily be artificially replaced.  Nothing could be further from the truth (tooth?).  In fact an injury to front teeth during sport is likely to require maintenance of one form or another for the rest of your life.

The message in this is that prevention is much better than cure.  If you or your kids play sport, yes even ‘non-contact’ sport (like basketball – statistically the most dangerous game for teeth) get yourself a professionally made mouthguard.

If you manage to knock out a tooth, the best place for it is back into the socket from where it came.  The tooth should first be cleaned preferably in pasteurised milk or sterile saline.  Lost teeth should be replaced within a maximum of 60 minutes (dry time) however if you can’t get straight to a dentist, the tooth can be stored in pasteurised milk for up to 6 hours and still be replaced. The tooth can also be carried in the mouth itself.

Be mindful of the need for medical attention and the possibility of concussion following such injuries.  Dental on Metro make sports mouth guards in a range of team colours. See our gap free offer for kids and adults checkups.