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When you play sports, your body releases those feel-good chemicals (endorphins, serotonin and dopamine) that help reduce anxiety and feelings of depression. It gives you a sense of well-being, and makes you SMILE! Certain sports, however, present a high risk for dental trauma, and our specialist sports dentistry unit supplies custom-fitted mouth guards that significantly reduce incidents of dental trauma and concussions.
Sports dentistry plays an essential role in optimizing an athlete’s performance by helping protect their oral health. The most common treatments performed include:
Sports dentistry is a specialized field of dentistry that helps protect athletes from potentially devastating dental injuries. By creating custom-fitted mouth guards and utilizing other protective equipment, we help reduce the risk of broken teeth, jaw fractures, and concussions. Dr. Leichter and our specialized team also provide guidance on proper oral hygiene techniques to help athletes stay healthy during training and competition.
Additionally, sports dentists can diagnose and treat problems related to TMJ dysfunction, bruxism (teeth grinding), and sleep apnea. In short, sports dentistry offers preventative measures that help keep athletes safe on the playing field and reduce the risk of dental trauma and the consequential psycho-social impact that such trauma can have on an athlete.
It is not uncommon for an athlete to experience sudden dental trauma. The following dental trauma tips2 will help preserve the integrity of your tooth/teeth and mouth in the immediate aftermath of an incident.
If a tooth has been avulsed (knocked out completely), it is important to take extra care to avoid any additional trauma when handling the tooth.
Sports injuries3 to the mouth and oral environment is not only disfiguring, but they cost time—either away from school or work—and they can certainly become expensive. Many sports-related mouth injuries can be easily prevented with the proper design of mouth and tooth protection through mouth guards.
Boca Perio Implants is here to protect you and your teeth so that you can continue to perform at your best. Our team of professionals are extensively trained and experienced in the area of mouth guards. This means you can relax knowing that you are in safe hands for preventative treatment and care! Book your appointment for preventative treatment and care.
What is sports dentistry?
Sports dentistry is the branch of dental medicine dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of oral health problems related to athletes’ participation in physical activity.
Why is sports dentistry important?
Sports dentistry plays an essential role in optimizing an athlete’s performance by helping protect their oral health. Many dental injuries occur during contact sports due to physical impact from other players or objects such as balls, bats, racquets, etc. Without proper protection, these injuries can be extremely painful, costly to repair, and even cause long-term damage to the teeth and jaw if left untreated.
How often should I see a sports dentist?
Generally speaking, it is recommended that all athletes receive regular checkups every six months regardless of whether they are engaged in contact sports or not. However, biannual visits are especially important for those who compete in contact sports, given that their risk for traumatic injury is higher than those who engage in non-contact activities. During these visits, your dentist will check your gums for signs of infection or gum disease, as well as assess your overall oral health status so any potential issues can be addressed proactively rather than reactively after an incident occurs.
What is dental trauma?
Dental trauma is an injury to the teeth, gums, and supporting structures of the mouth. It can range from a mild chipped tooth to severe damage that requires complex rehabilitation. Common causes include sports injuries, falls, motor vehicle accidents, and facial assaults. If untreated, dental trauma can lead to pain, infection, nerve damage, sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, and even tooth loss.
Does insurance cover sports dentistry?
Most insurance providers offer some coverage for routine dental services like exams and cleanings but typically won’t pay for custom mouthguards unless medically necessary due to pre-existing conditions such as TMJ disorder or severe bruxism which have been documented by a qualified specialist prior to submitting a claim form for reimbursement purposes. In cases where coverage isn’t provided, out-of-pocket expenses will typically apply.
1 American Dental Association. Diet and Dental Health. Available: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/diet-and-dental-health/.
2 Academy for Sports Dentistry. Emergency Treatment for Athletic Dental Injuries. Available: https://www.academyforsportsdentistry.org/treatment-cards.
3 Rajiv Saini. Sports dentistry. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3343409.
Contact Boca Perio Implants, committed to serve all communities around West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach!
Dr. Julian C. Leichter is a Harvard Fellow, and Boca Raton’s trusted leader in periodontics with more than 40 years of experience in natural tooth preservation, and implant preservation. His periodontal techniques continue to nurture many healthy smiles throughout Florida, and beyond.
