If You Play Sports You May Need Dental Veneers After an Accident

Tooth injuries while playing sports are incredibly common.  Most people don’t worry about their teeth while tossing the ball around or suiting up for a game, but the reality is that sports accidents are the number one cause of tooth injuries among adults. Very few adults have the opportunity to play sports professionally so this highlights how even a casual game of baseball can lead to an accident.A sports injury can cause your tooth to crack, chip, or even fall out.  The degree of injury often depends on the health of your teeth and the force that impacted it. If your tooth falls out, we may be able to save it so rinse your tooth off and put it into a glass of milk before heading in right away.  If not, there are several ways including dental implants and a dental bridge that can replace a missing tooth.If your tooth has simply been cracked or chipped, we can use dental veneers to restore it.  A veneer is a thin shell that is made out of ceramic or porcelain and placed on top of the existing tooth in order to restore it or improve its appearance.  This is an excellent way to restore a damaged tooth so that you can feel better and get back in the game.Typically, it can take several weeks for the process to be completed because a permanent veneer needs to be created in a lab to match the size and shape of your teeth. It is important that this is done perfectly so that it blends in once done.  Before the permanent one is placed, we typically prepare the existing tooth by removing a portion of the enamel.  This is important for ensuring that once the veneer is placed, it will lay flat and in-line with the other teeth.  In the meantime, we will use a temporary veneer to protect your tooth.  The temporary is attached with removable glue, so you have to be careful not to bump the tooth and with what you eat.  After the permanent one is ready, it will be bonded to your tooth and be extremely durable.Dental veneers are natural looking, beautiful, and durable – making them perfect for restoring a tooth that has been damaged in an accident.  The process is fairly straightforward, and we are experts and ensuring they blend in perfectly with the surrounding teeth.There are, however, things you can do to keep your teeth healthy and prevent them from becoming damaged.  If your teeth are free from cavities, a simple bump may not cause any damage.  If even a small cavity exists than a tooth can become cracked or chipped easily when hit with an elbow or a ball.  This makes regular teeth cleanings even more important for athletes.  Additionally, you can wear a mouth guard when playing sports in order to protect your teeth while on the court or on the field.

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