What Should You Do If You Lose a Tooth During Contact Sports?
When you want to play a contact sport (such as rugby), it pays to have a plan in place should something go wrong. While these sports are carefully regulated, there's always a chance of injury, and your dentition could be at risk in such an aggressive pastime. Even though you may wear some protection, there is a chance that one of your teeth could be loosened or even knocked out and should this happen, what should you do next?
Always Choose Protection
Most people who play rugby, even at the amateur level, are recommended to wear a custom-made mouthguard. It's best to get this made by a professional dentist to fit as snugly as possible and provide maximum protection. However, even if you don't turn to this expert, you should at least wear a guard that you can find off the shelf.
The Misplaced Tackle
Yet, in a tackle, the mouthguard could become dislodged, and if it does, you could sustain some damage to your teeth. It's not unheard of for a player to lose a tooth in a particularly aggressive tackle, and should this happen, you will want to take action as soon as possible.
Bring in the Investigators
The first thing to do is to locate the missing tooth, assuming that it has come out of your mouth. Then, get your teammates to join in the hunt until you find what you're looking for and are prepared to take the next step.
Attempt a Replacement
If the dislodged tooth is not badly damaged, you may be able to replace it right away. However, you also need to look at the gums to see if there is any damage in that area. Then, you'll want to decide whether to risk replacing the tooth or turn immediately to a professional. If you decide not to replace the tooth on the field, put it in a container with some milk. This will help preserve it as you journey to an emergency dentist.
Arrive at the Emergency Dentist
When you arrive at the dentist, they'll assess the situation and decide what to do next. In an ideal world, they'll want to replace the tooth as soon as possible to ensure it doesn't die off. However, they may need to let your gums repair themselves first and will take steps to protect the tooth until it can be replaced.
Have a Plan
So, don't forget to wear a mouthguard whenever you play rugby. However, always have a plan in place so you know what to do should a tooth be knocked out during play.
Contact an emergency dentist to learn more.
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