At Ghyllmount Dental we have been delighted to support and provide Thomas Bailey – British Taekwondo Champion with a complimentary sports mouth guard. Thomas travels all over the world competing and working his way up the world rankings. The gumshield has already been put to good use. Attached is a photograph from one of his recent tournaments in Hamburg. We wish Thomas all the very best with his competitions and look forward to seeing his progression.
Prevention of Dental Injuries
Sports guards are of critical importance for preventing severe dental and oral injuries during sports activities. According to the British Dental Association (BDA), athletes are an estimated 60 times more likely to sustain dental trauma if they do not wear a mouthguard in contact sports.
Dental injuries can be prevented. We recommend that mouthguards be worn by athletes in competitive and recreational sports in which impact, contact and collision are likely to occur. We further recommend the mouthguard to be worn during all practices and competition.
Types of Dental Injuries
It is important to remember time is critical when handling dental injuries. Do not allow the athlete to wait until the end of the game to seek treatment for a dental injury. Transport them to a dentist within 2 hours for the best outcomes.
- Crown fractures: Cracks or breaks in the visible part of the tooth.
- Root fractures: Cracks or breaks in the root of the tooth, which may not be visible.
- Avulsion: A tooth being completely knocked out of its socket.
- Luxation: A tooth being moved from its normal position within the socket.
- Intrusion: A tooth being pushed up into the socket, appearing shorter than surrounding teeth.
What to do in the case of a sports related dental injury
Immediate actions
- Contact a professional: Call a dentist or go to an urgent care clinic immediately. For any head or facial injury, a medical assessment for potential concussion is crucial, so have someone else drive you.
- Rinse and clean: Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean.
- Control bleeding: Use a clean cloth or gauze to apply pressure to cuts on your gums, lips, or cheeks.
- Reduce swelling: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to help reduce swelling.
- Avoid certain foods: Do not eat hard foods that could worsen damage.
- For jaw injuries: Try to keep your jaw as still as possible and seek urgent care if your bite feels off, there is severe pain, or difficulty breathing.
For specific injuries
- Knocked-out tooth:
- Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown (top part), not the root.
- Rinse it gently with water or saline, but do not use soap or a disinfectant.
- If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket, or store it in a container with milk or saline.
- Go to an emergency dentist immediately—the sooner the better, ideally within 30-40 minutes.
Selecting a Mouth Guard - which to choose?
Dentists in the UK, along with various sports governing bodies, generally recommend custom-made mouthguards over off-the-shelf options.
- Custom-made: Fabricated by a dental professional from an impression of your teeth, these offer the best fit, comfort, and highest level of protection. They stay securely in place and do not impede breathing or speech.
- Boil-and-bite: These are a self-moulded option bought from sports shops. While better than nothing, their fit can be compromised, leading to thin protective sections, discomfort, and the potential to fall out.
- Stock: These are pre-formed and offer the least protection and fit, often interfering with speech and breathing.
It is important to remember damaged teeth do not grow back. Protect that perfect smile – wear a mouthguard.
