Sports Dentistry in North Atlanta, GA

Many people throughout Georgia play sports as a recreational activity and as a way to socialize and exercise. Though sports are fun, some activities have a risk of injury, especially in the mouth or head. Games like baseball, football, and rugby require protective gear for the body, but what about the mouth?

North Atlanta Family Dentistry specializes in various dental practices, including sports dentistry in Georgia. We understand the risks some sports and exercises pose to oral health, so we provide treatment for sports-related injuries and oral protections for physical activities. 

What Is Sports Dentistry?

Sports dentistry is a dental practice that involves treating and preventing dental injuries or oral diseases from sports and exercise. Sports dentists also provide information and equipment to help active patients protect their teeth, jaw, mouth, and face. Patients of all ages can benefit from sports dentistry.

Injury prevention is one of the primary purposes of sports dentistry, but mouth and teeth damage is common among athletes. If an injury occurs, sports dentists will provide immediate care to restore the health, appearance, and function of the patient’s mouth and smile. 

What Are Sports-Related Dental Injuries?

Beginner and experienced athletes can injure themselves in many ways by playing sports. When it comes to dental injuries, below are the most common issues.

Chipped Tooth

When a tooth gets hit with force, it may cause a piece of the tooth to break off, or it could develop a fracture. Depending on the location of the break, the tooth’s pulp could become exposed, leaving the tooth vulnerable to a bacterial infection and tooth decay. 

Knocked-Out Tooth

Sometimes, the force to the mouth or face is enough to cause a tooth to fall out. It’s possible to save the tooth as long as the injured athlete can get to the dentist immediately. 

Displaced Tooth

An injury can cause a tooth to shift or become loose. In this case, the tooth is not completely broken or knocked out; it’s in the wrong position. 

No matter the situation with your tooth, it’s crucial to seek dental care from a skilled sports dentist. At North Atlanta Family Dentistry, we have solutions available to treat various sports-related injuries. For instance, we can apply a tooth-colored composite resin to a tooth fracture to prevent further damage. 

How Can You Prevent Dental Injuries From Sports?

Some sports, such as football, require helmets to protect the head and face. However, the mouth is still vulnerable. Mouthguards are an effective way to prevent injury to the teeth and gums. 

There are three types of mouthguards for sports: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-fit.

Stock

These over-the-counter mouthguards are one-size-fits-all. They are the most affordable option, but they seldom fit comfortably because everyone’s mouth and bite are different. Stock mouthguards also tend to be bulky and make breathing difficult. 

Boil-and-Bite

These protectors are also over-the-counter purchases, but they offer considerably more comfort than the stock variety. The kit comes with a mouthguard that you place in hot water to soften. Your teeth will leave an impression when you bite on the softened mouthguard, allowing the device to fit securely in your mouth and over your teeth. 

Custom-Fit

The best mouthguard option is custom-fit by a dentist. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth and use the mold of the impression to make a personalized mouthguard. It offers the best oral protection and contains high-quality materials. 

How Do Dentists Treat Sports-Related Dental Injuries?

When you have a sports-related oral injury, getting prompt dental attention is necessary, even if the problem doesn’t seem significant. Sometimes minor problems can quickly become significant issues. 

Injuries to the jaw can make it difficult to speak and chew. A sports dentist will need to set broken facial bones with screws, plates, or wires. 

Soft tissue injuries to the gums, cheeks, tongue, and lips can affect everything from your nerves to your appearance. Immediate treatment can restore your smile and minimize complications. 

We offer several treatments for dental injuries, depending on the problem. Our team can restore broken or cracked teeth with crowns and replace knocked-out teeth.

If you want to play sports, it’s necessary to ensure that you take the proper precautions to prevent severe oral injuries. When injuries occur, you can count on our skilled dental staff to provide expert care to restore your health and smile. 

To schedule an appointment for sports dentistry in Georgia, contact North Atlanta Family Dentistry today at (470) 387-0500.