We all know that people who participate in contact sports such as: rugby, boxing, ice hockey and martial arts have a potential risk of tooth damage or loss due to the physical aspects of these sports. Because of the dangers involved, Colgate oral health centre say that it’s imperative for anyone taking part in a contact sport to wear a mouth guard. According to Oral answers, the following six conditions can be prevented when wearing a mouth guard: tooth fractures, tooth displacement, concussion (possibly), jaw fractures, soft tissue injuries, and tooth loss due to the tooth being knocked out. This kind of tooth damage or loss may require future oral procedures, such as dental implants. Basingstoke dental practice Glenholme Dental Centre strongly encourages the use of mouth guards during contact sports, however if the worse should happen and tooth damage has occurred, they are available to offer treatment to repair the damage, or provide options when a tooth is lost.
What if a tooth has been knocked out?
Glenholme Dental Centre offers different treatments in incidents involving knocked-out teeth, to its patients in Basingstoke. Dental implants are one of these options and can be used in place of missing teeth; they are made from titanium, which joins with the jawbone, and are topped with crowns to form fully functioning teeth.
Can you still participate in contact sports if you have dental implants?
The simple answer is yes. Mark Zive, DMD says that dental implants are perfectly safe during contact sports, as long as you follow the same precautions as you would with your natural teeth. In other words, wear a mouth guard! Glenholme Dental Centre outlines that implants are a significant investment and cost between £2,000 and £3,000 per implant (much more affordable than in previous years when prices averaged £50,000 for a total restoration) at their practice in Basingstoke. Dental implants should last a lifetime if cared for correctly, however using a mouth guard when participating in contact sports could significantly reduce the chance of your teeth being knocked out, therefore reducing the chance that you will ever need an implant.