Dental Health: Tips to Prevent Tooth and Mouth Injuries

Injuries to the teeth and mouth are common. Approximately 80% of dental injuries affect one or more of the front teeth and damage to soft tissues – the tongue, lips, and inner cheeks – is also common.

In the very young child, injuries to baby teeth usually result from learning to walk. Sports injuries are the main source of tooth and mouth injuries in older adolescents and adults. Up to 40% of dental injuries in older adolescents and adults occur while playing sports.

Tips to Prevent Sports-Related Tooth and Mouth Injuries

• Mouth Guards : When playing sports, the best way to protect your teeth and mouth is by wearing a mouth guard.
• Face cages: This equipment protects against trauma to the face, especially when playing certain sports positions, like baseball catcher or hockey goalie.
• Helmets: It's always wise to wear a helmet made for the activity that you are participating in. Although most helmets won't protect the teeth and mouth, they will protect another important area – your head.

Can Knocked Out Teeth Be Repaired?

Yes, and the sooner you can get to your dentist's office the better. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.

Even if your tooth can't be saved, you haven't necessarily lost your smile. Due to advances in dentistry, a dental implant -- a freestanding artificial tooth – can now be anchored directly into your jawbone.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry.