Contact sports like hockey, football, basketball, and martial arts offer physical and mental benefitsbut they also come with a high risk of injury, especially to the mouth. Dental trauma is common in athletic environments, ranging from chipped teeth to full tooth loss. Knowing how to manage these injuries quickly and correctly can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth.
At McLevin Dental, we treat sports-related dental injuries in Scarborough and provide protective solutions to prevent them. Heres what athletes, coaches, trainers, and parents need to know about handling dental injuries in contact sports.
Common Types of Dental Injuries in Sports
The most frequent dental injuries during sports include:
Avulsed tooth (knocked out completely)
Fractured or chipped teeth
Luxated tooth (moved from its position)
Intruded tooth (pushed into the gum)
Soft tissue injuries to the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums
Jaw fractures or TMJ trauma
Mouthguards greatly reduce risk, but accidents still happen. Quick, informed action can improve outcomes significantly.
Immediate Steps to Take for Sports-Related Dental Injuries
1. Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsion)
Urgency: Immediate within 30 minutes
What to Do:
Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (top), not the root.
If dirty, gently rinse with clean waterdo not scrub or use soap.
If possible, reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place with gentle pressure (bite down on gauze or cloth).
If reinsertion isnt possible, place the tooth in milk, saline, or the athletes saliva.
Get to a dentist immediately. The faster the tooth is re-implanted, the higher the success rate.
Note: Do not attempt to reinsert baby teeth.
2. Chipped or Broken Tooth
Urgency: Same Day
What to Do:
Rinse the athletes mouth with warm water.
Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Locate and save any fragments in milk or saliva.
Avoid letting the athlete chew on the affected side.
Visit a dentist the same day for evaluation and repair.
Even small chips may expose the nerve, requiring immediate attention.
3. Loose or Displaced Tooth (Luxation)
Urgency: Same Day
What to Do:
Do not attempt to reposition the tooth.
Keep the athlete calm and avoid contact with the area.
Apply a cold compress if swelling is present.
Contact a dentist right away for proper stabilization.
Quick repositioning and splinting can often save a displaced tooth.
4. Intruded Tooth
Urgency: Immediate
What to Do:
If a tooth appears “missing” but was not knocked out, it may have been pushed into the gum.
Do not attempt to pull or reposition it.
Apply a cold compress if there’s swelling.
Transport the athlete to a dentist immediately.
These injuries often require long-term monitoring and advanced care.
5. Soft Tissue Injuries
Urgency: Variable
What to Do:
Rinse the mouth gently with water.
Apply pressure using gauze to stop bleeding.
Use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to control swelling.
If bleeding doesnt stop after 10 minutes or the cut is large, seek professional care.
Oral cuts may need sutures and can easily become infected without treatment.
6. Suspected Jaw or TMJ Injury
Urgency: Immediate if severe
What to Do:
If the athlete cannot open or close their mouth or the jaw appears misaligned, do not attempt to move it.
Apply a cold pack and stabilize the head and jaw.
Seek emergency medical care or a dental professional with experience in jaw trauma.
Imaging may be necessary to assess fractures or dislocation.
Preventing Dental Injuries in Contact Sports
Prevention is always better than treatment. Steps to reduce dental trauma include:
Wearing a custom mouthguard during all practices and games
Using helmets or face shields in high-impact sports like hockey or lacrosse
Ensuring well-fitted braces or orthodontic appliances are protected
Regular dental checkups to assess for risks like weak enamel or existing damage
At McLevin Dental, we create custom mouthguards tailored for optimal fit and comfort, especially for young athletes and those wearing braces.
What to Keep in a Sports Dental Emergency Kit
Trainers and coaches should carry a basic dental emergency kit, including:
Gauze pads
Small container with a lid
Saline solution or bottle of milk
Cold compress packs
Gloves
Mouth mirror and flashlight
Emergency dental contact list (like McLevin Dental, Scarborough)
Quick access to these items can save valuable minutes in an emergency.
When to Visit the ER vs. the Dentist
Go to the emergency room if the athlete:
Has uncontrolled bleeding
Shows signs of concussion or loss of consciousness
Has a suspected jaw fracture
Experiences breathing difficulties due to facial trauma
For most dental-specific injuries, visit an emergency dentist as they are equipped to:
Reimplant avulsed teeth
Stabilize dislodged or fractured teeth
Provide pain management and infection control
Begin restorative treatment planning
Recovery and Follow-Up
Post-injury dental care often involves:
Monitoring for root resorption or nerve damage
Follow-up imaging (X-rays)
Root canal therapy (if the pulp is exposed or infected)
Cosmetic restorations such as crowns or bonding
Long-term observation for developing complications
At McLevin Dental, we provide full recovery support to ensure lasting results and return-to-play readiness.
Final Thoughts
Contact sports are thrillingbut they come with real risks to oral health. Knowing how to handle dental injuries can help athletes recover faster, reduce long-term damage, and even save teeth. Preparation, quick response, and the support of a trusted emergency dental clinic make all the difference.