Dental Injuries And Trauma: Active Adolescents May Mean Dental Injuries And Emergencies
Worldwide yearly, trauma is the cause of 5 million casualties for individuals under the age of 45. The mouth or oral region represents just 1% of the body, but 5% of total body injuries occur to the mouth.
A Swedish study found that for children under the age of 6, 17% of their injuries were oral. Activity levels and behaviors of children and adolescents put them at a much higher risk of oral traumas…33% higher incident rate of maxillofacial injury over that of adults.
We certainly encourage children and young adults to play and be active, but parents be aware of risks, safety protocols to prevent injury and equipment that helps to protect.
Here we list the sports which carry the most risk of dental injuries.
1. Contact Sports: Football, rugby, Hockey, Boxing, Martial Arts
Risks:
· Collisions and Falls: These sports often involve physical contact with other players, leading to falls or direct hits to the face.
Equipment Impact: Balls, pucks, and other equipment can strike the mouth.
2. Basketball and Soccer
Risks:
Elbows and Head Butts: Players frequently collide with each other, leading to accidental hits to the mouth.
Falls: Rapid movement and jumping increase the risk of falling and injuring the mouth.
3. Biking and Skateboarding
Risks:
Falls: High speeds and tricks can lead to falls, resulting in facial injuries.
Lack of Protection: Often, participants do not wear mouthguards, increasing the risk of dental injury.
4. Baseball and Softball
Risks:
Ball Impact: High-speed balls can strike the mouth.
Bats and Equipment: Swinging bats and other equipment can accidentally hit players.
5. Wrestling and Judo
Risks:
Physical Contact: Close physical contact and grappling can lead to accidental blows to the mouth.
Falls: Participants may fall or be thrown, causing facial impacts.
6. Gymnastics and Cheerleading
Risks:
Falls: High-flying stunts and routines increase the risk of falls.
Equipment Impact: Bars, beams, and other apparatuses can cause facial injuries if a routine goes wrong.
7. Skiing and Snowboarding
Risks:
Falls: High speeds and tricks on snow can lead to falls.
Collision: Colliding with other participants, trees, or obstacles can result in dental injuries.
Prevention and Protection
Mouthguards: Using custom-fitted mouthguards can significantly reduce the risk of dental injuries. They are essential in contact sports and beneficial in any sport with a risk of falls or collisions.
Helmets: In sports like biking, skateboarding, and snowboarding, wearing helmets with face protection can help prevent dental injuries.
Proper Technique and Training: Learning proper techniques and following safety protocols can minimize the risk of accidents leading to dental injuries.
Regular Dental Check-ups: Regular visits to the dentist can help identify and address any minor issues before they become significant problems due to sports activities.