Whether you’re a parent looking out for their kids, or an adventurous spirit looking out for yourself, it’s nice to know what activities present dental risks. No one wants to get their teeth knocked out, so learning about risky activities like MMA, climbing, and even basketball in advance is a great way to prevent injury. As your local dental practice, we want you to know we’re here to help prevent dental accidents. To learn more about what activities are the most common for dental injuries, and how you can avoid them, keep reading.
1. Basketball
Turns out, basketball is the most dangerous activity when it comes to dental accidents. The main reason for this is because a lot of players don’t wear sports mouthguards, putting them at risk whenever they bump, knock, or smash up against another player, the basketball, or the court itself.
In 2017, sports fans remember when Isaiah Thomas lost his tooth in a match against the Washington Wizards. He still sank a few three points afterward, but then quickly left for the locker room to get his tooth repositioned.
Isaiah Thomas’s dentist ended up making him a custom mouthguard for the next game, and it was a good thing because Thomas had another hard accident. Rather than lose his tooth again–or lose another tooth–Thomas’s mouth was protected the second time around.
If you’re a basketball player, please get a custom sports mouthguard made. You don’t want to lose a tooth midgame. And although Isaiah Thomas’s tooth was saved, that’s not always the case for everyone who loses a tooth.
2. Hockey
Wall smashing, fights, hard ice, and the worst thing… hockey sticks are the reason people lose teeth in this activity.
Hockey is a sport most people wear a mouthguard for because it’s so intense.
And just like hockey, lacrosse carries the same threat of getting bashed in the mouth by a shoulder, stick, or fellow competitor.
Be safe out on the field or rink and and hockey. We want you to have fun, not worry about your teeth or suffer from oral pain.
3. Boxing/MMA
Fighting activities are often what people think of as the most dangerous sport for your teeth. Although boxing and MMA rank lower than basketball when it comes to losing teeth, they’re still dangerous activities.
One of the main dental problems caused by fighting activities is a dislocated jaw. In , it’s mandatory that gloves and mouthguards are worn.
The mouthguard helps protect your teeth while the glove makes the blow more area-based than tooth-knocking direct. That being said, teeth have still been knocked out from the swing of a glove.
4. Skateboarding
Most urban . For whatever reason, people enjoy just being in nature on their wheels.
But if the thought of your teeth touching the concrete, a metal bar, or a park bench worries you, then you might want to invest in a custom mouthguard.
After you wear a mouthguard for a little while, you won’t recognize it as much. You’ll still be able to land your ollies, kickflips, and sick grinds–and your mouth will thank you if you don’t.
5. Football
A tackle is a tackle. As Newton put it, every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
, thankfully, but mouthguards are still recommended. A helmet may protect your cranium, but a blindsided tackle could literally knock your tooth out.
A mouthguard helps deflect the blow and prevent a dental emergency. So, the next time you get sacked, you can get back up and focus on making the game-winning pass rather than looking for your tooth.
6. Snowboarding
In Michigan, we know how much fun winter sports can be. Blazing down a mountain or carving up some powder is a great way to have fun. But whether you’re a novice or a professional, winter activities can put you at a huge risk for dental accidents.
For beginners learning how to ski or snowboard, you have to watch out for obstacles, other people, and the scariest thing: trees.
Knocking into any of those can put you out for the season, but with a mouthguard at least you’ll have some protection.
For professionals, you may know how to handle yourself on the slopes, but when you try to land that front boardslide on a rail you don’t want to worry about .
A mouthguard may seem inconvenient, but it can actually allow you to think more freely because it can help get rid of the fear of a dental accident.
7. Ultimate Frisbee
The disc sport that’s gaining in popularity over the years is high-energy, contact-prone, and a lot of fun.
But you know what’s not fun? Getting hit in the mouth by a frisbee.
A frisbee disc is typically made of polyethylene which is incredibly durable plastic. When a disc is moving over 60mph you don’t want to get hit in the face, and if you do, you’ll wish you had a mouthguard on more than ever.
8. Biking
Whether you’re on the road bike or hitting the trails on the mountain bike, you never want to go head over handlebars.
A biking accident can range from a simple fall where you scrape your knee to needing emergency medical services or the need for other dental services.
While you’re out putting in the miles, try to wear a mouthguard. It may seem weird at first, but the first fall that catches you off guard will have you thanking us for recommending you wear a mouthguard.
9. Hiking/Climbing
When it comes to high-intensity activities, hiking and climbing aren’t as fast-paced as basketball or skateboarding, but they do present risks.
One of the biggest risks while out on the mountain are trips and falls. Tree roots, jagged stones, swampy terrain, and more are all tripping hazards. If you fall on rocks or a tree root, you’ll thank us for your mouthguard.
While climbing, you’re usually tied into a belay system, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be sliding back and forth on the mountain or that you’re safe from small rocks falling while a friend sets an anchor.
Even if it hits it right. Rather than endure the pain, alarm, and stress of chipping or breaking a tooth on the mountain, put on a mouthguard. They’re simple and can help you focus on getting up the mountain one step at a time.
10. Consuming the Wrong Foods
As dentists, we have to put this one on the list. Eating or drinking sugary substances like sodas, sports drinks, candy, and so on is often more dangerous for your teeth than sports.
The reason is that the can wear away the enamel. As time goes on, your teeth become fragile.
Try to avoid biting into hard foods like candy, ice, or nuts. If you have sensitive teeth, these sorts of foods can chip or crack your teeth easier than you may think.
On this note, don’t open things with your teeth!
Your teeth are not scissors or pliers. Trying to open something with your mouth can severely damage your teeth!
Learn More About Avoiding Dental Accidents
Whether you’re looking for ways to prevent gum disease or information on dental implants, our blog page has you covered. If we’ve persuaded you to protect your teeth, call us at (616) 399-3946 or contact us online today to set up an appointment to get your custom sports mouthguard made. Our Holland dentists at the Lakeshore Dentistry & Implant Center want your teeth to be protected while you’re out having fun doing the activities you love.
