If Sports Leave Your Mouth Toothless, Dental Implants Can Give You A Knock-Out Smile
Each year, about five million people have their teeth knocked out. Among the top causes are sporting event incidents.
Sports and Teeth: A Dangerous Duo
Surprisingly, basketball--not football or even boxing--is the athletic activity that results in the highest number of knocked-out teeth. Basketball players seldom wear protective mouth guards that, if used correctly and regularly, significantly reduce the risk of dental injury. Basketball is a very high-contact sport, but in all sports, you are 60 times as likely to suffer dental injury if you do not wear a mouth guard.
What Happens if a Tooth is Knocked Out?
Regardless of whether or not you used a mouth guard, accidents happen. If your tooth is knocked out while you are working out, you may be able to save it if you act quickly. The best way to save your fallen tooth is by re-inserting it into its socket. If the tooth is too dirty or re-inserting it makes you squeamish, keep it moist. A cup of milk works well and is readily available.
You need to see your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less likely your original tooth can be saved.
When Your Tooth Is Dead
Despite you and your dentist's best efforts, your tooth may not be salvageable. This happens frequently, so do not despair.
One of the best ways to replace your lost tooth is with an implant. A dental implant gives you a long-lasting and realistic replacement tooth that is connected to your jaw bone with a titanium screw. Aesthetically, the dental implant is indistinguishable from your natural teeth.
Why Should I Opt for an Implant?
The cost of a dental implant varies according to geographic location, severity of the injury, type of material used, and whether additional procedures are needed. You might consider dentures instead in an effort to save money, but think again.
Dentures can cost just as much, if not more, than affordable dental implants. Dentures are also removable, can slip when you talk or cough, and limit the kinds of foods that you can eat. You will not have these same problems if you opt for dental implants instead.
A dental implant is also much more suitable for sports. If it was a sporting accident that knocked your tooth out, you should not give up your passion just because of a missing tooth. Implants look and feel like normal teeth, so they will not interfere with your exercise program.
