Whether you’re raising the next sports superstar or simply encouraging an active lifestyle, protecting your family’s smiles should be part of your game plan. At Merry Dental, we’ve seen firsthand how sports-related dental injuries can impact our patients—and we’re committed to helping you prevent them before they happen.

Personal Story: “When I took a hockey puck to the mouth during a drop-in at Hallenborg Ice Rink, I was terrified I’d lose my front teeth. Thanks to the custom mouthguard Dr. Navid had made it for me just months earlier, I skated away with only a cut lip. That mouthguard saved me thousands in dental work and serious pain.” – Michael., Billerica, MA

The Most Common Sports-Related Dental Injuries

1. Cracked and Chipped Teeth

Basketball, soccer, and skateboarding frequently lead to these injuries when athletes collide or fall. Even a small chip can expose sensitive inner layers of a tooth, leading to pain and potential infection if left untreated.

Risk Factors:

• Contact sports without proper face protection

• Hard surfaces like basketball courts or skate parks

• Equipment impacts (balls, sticks, racquets)

• Collisions with other players

Treatment Options:

• Minor chips may be repaired with dental bonding

• More significant cracks often require crowns

• Severe fractures might need root canal treatment or extraction

2. Knocked-Out Teeth (Avulsion)

Perhaps the most dramatic dental emergency, a knocked-out tooth requires immediate action. With proper handling and quick dental attention, many avulsed teeth can actually be saved and successfully reimplanted.

Critical Time Window: A knocked-out permanent tooth has the highest chance of being saved if it’s reimplanted within 30-60 minutes.

Emergency Protocol:

1. Handle the tooth by the crown (chewing surface), never touch the root

2. Gently rinse with water if dirty (no soap, no scrubbing)

3. Try to reinsert the tooth in its socket if possible

4. If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in:

   • A tooth preservation kit (best option)

   • Cold milk

   • Saliva (have the person hold it in their cheek if old enough)

   • Saline solution

5. Get to a dentist immediately

3. Luxation (Loosened Teeth)

These injuries occur when teeth are partially dislodged—pushed deeper into the socket, pulled partially out, or moved sideways—but not completely knocked out.

Signs of Luxation:

• Tooth appears longer or shorter than normal

• Tooth is pushed backward or forward

• Tooth feels loose when gently touched

• Pain during biting or chewing

• Bleeding around the gumline

Treatment Approaches:

• Repositioning the tooth

• Temporary splinting to adjacent teeth

• Root canal therapy may be needed if nerve damage occurs

• Long-term monitoring for complications

4. Jaw Fractures and TMJ Injuries

High-impact collisions in football, martial arts, hockey, and rugby can lead to jaw fractures or trauma to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These serious injuries often require specialized treatment.

Warning Signs:

• Difficulty opening the mouth

• Pain when chewing

• Facial asymmetry

• Changes in how teeth fit together

• Numbness in the lower lip or chin

Sports with the Highest Risk for Dental Injuries

While any active pursuit carries some risk, certain sports have higher rates of dental trauma:

High-Risk Sports:

• Basketball (surprisingly, one of the leading causes of dental injuries)

• Hockey (ice and field)

• Football

• Martial arts

• Boxing

• Rugby

Medium-Risk Sports:

• Soccer

• Skateboarding/scootering

• Baseball/softball

• Volleyball

• Mountain biking

• Wrestling

“Hidden Risk” Activities:

• Swimming (pool accidents, particularly diving)

• Trampoline activities

• Gymnastics

• Playground activities

Prevention: Your Best Defense Against Sports Dental Injuries

1. Custom-Fitted Mouthguards: The Gold Standard

While over-the-counter options exist, custom-made mouthguards from your dentist provide superior protection, comfort, and durability.

Why Choose Custom Mouthguards:

• Precisely fitted to your unique dental anatomy

• Allow normal speech and breathing

• Stay in place during activity

• More comfortable, increasing likelihood of consistent use

• Provide better protection against concussions

• Last longer than store-bought versions

At Merry Dental, we create custom mouthguards in team colors and can even incorporate logos for added team spirit. Dr. Navid has worked with several local sports teams to provide team-wide protection programs.

2. Face Shields and Helmets

For sports like hockey, football, and baseball, comprehensive facial protection is essential.

Best Practices:

• Ensure proper fit—too loose and it won’t protect effectively

• Replace after significant impacts

• Use age-appropriate equipment

• Follow sport-specific safety guidelines for face protection

3. Education and Awareness

Knowing how to prevent injuries—and what to do if they occur—can significantly reduce their impact.

Coach and Parent Education:

• Recognize signs of dental injuries

• Keep a dental first-aid kit on hand

• Establish emergency protocols for games and practices

• Encourage a culture of safety and proper equipment use

4. Regular Dental Check-ups

Maintaining good oral health makes teeth more resilient. Weak, decayed, or previously injured teeth are more susceptible to sports-related damage.

Preventive Benefits:

• Early detection of weak spots or cracks

• Assessment of previous repairs

• Identification of orthodontic issues that might increase injury risk

• Opportunity to discuss specific sports risks based on your activities

What to Do If a Dental Injury Occurs

Even with perfect prevention, accidents happen. Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

What to Do If a Dental Injury Occurs

Even with perfect prevention, accidents happen. Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. When a dental emergency strikes, having a trusted dentist in Billerica who offers emergency services can provide peace of mind and faster treatment.

Immediate Steps for Any Dental Injury:

1. Assess the situation — Check for bleeding, broken teeth, or other injuries

2. Control bleeding — Apply clean gauze with gentle pressure

3. Recover any tooth fragments — Store in milk or saliva

4. Apply cold compress — Reduces swelling and pain

5. Contact your dentist immediately — Most sports dental injuries are time-sensitive emergencies

Special Considerations for Young Athletes

Children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to sports dental injuries as their permanent teeth are still developing.

Age-Specific Concerns:

• Ages 6-12: Mix of primary and permanent teeth requires special attention

• Teens with braces: Need specialized orthodontic mouthguards

• Growing athletes: Need mouthguards replaced more frequently as jaws develop

Psychological Impact: Dental injuries can create anxiety about returning to sports or concerns about appearance. Addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of dental trauma is important for young athletes.

The Cost of Prevention vs. Treatment

Investing in preventive measures like custom mouthguards is significantly more economical than emergency dental treatments.

Cost Comparison:

• Custom professional mouthguard: $300-500

• Dental bonding for a chip: $300-600 per tooth

• Crown for a fractured tooth: $1,200-1,500

• Root canal and crown: $2,000-3,000

• Dental implant for a lost tooth: $3,000-6,000

Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of custom mouthguards when they’re prescribed for sports, making prevention even more affordable.

Our Sports Dentistry Services at Merry Dental

We’re proud to offer comprehensive sports dentistry services to athletes of all ages in Billerica and surrounding communities:

• Custom mouthguard fitting and creation

• Emergency same-day appointments for sports injuries

• Team dentistry programs for local sports organizations

• Educational workshops for coaches and athletic directors

• Specialized treatment for complex dental trauma

Dr. Bardia Navid has additional training in sports dentistry and works closely with local athletic programs to promote dental safety. His passion for both sports and dentistry makes him particularly attuned to athletes’ needs.

Take Action: Protect Your Smile Before Your Next Game

Don’t wait for an injury to think about protection. Schedule a consultation to discuss custom mouthguards and sports safety plans tailored to your specific activities.

📞 Contact Merry Dental

Serving Billerica, Tewksbury, Burlington, Bedford, and nearby communities

Office: 978-663-3321
Website: merrydentalpc.com
Location: 337 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA 01821