Winter is peak season for club sport in Brisbane. Rugby, AFL, hockey, netball and basketball all bring a rise in chipped, broken and knocked-out teeth, and many of those dental injuries are avoidable. The two things that protect your smile most are a well-fitted sports mouthguard and being smart about sports drinks. Here is what every winter player, and every parent on the sideline, should know.
Why winter sport is peak season for dental injuries
A stray elbow, a fast ball or a fall on hard ground can chip, crack or knock out a tooth in an instant. Dental injuries are most common in contact sports like rugby and AFL, but they also happen in netball, hockey, basketball and soccer, and just as often at training as on game day. Repairing a badly damaged front tooth can mean years of dental work, so prevention is far cheaper than the cure.
A custom-fitted mouthguard is the best protection
Boil-and-bite guards from the chemist are better than nothing, but they fit loosely and can shift or fall out at the exact moment you need them. A custom-fitted mouthguard is made from an impression of your own teeth, so it stays secure on impact and spreads the force of a knock across the whole jaw. The Australian Dental Association recommends a custom-fitted mouthguard for anyone playing contact sport. Children’s mouths change quickly, so have the fit checked at the start of each season.
What to do if a tooth is knocked out
A knocked-out adult tooth is a dental emergency, and the first thirty minutes matter most. Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. If it is clean, gently place it back in the socket and bite softly on a cloth to hold it there. If you cannot, keep it moist in milk, never in water, and call a dentist straight away. A knocked-out baby tooth should not go back in, but the injury still needs a prompt dental check.
Sports drinks are tougher on teeth than most players think
Sports drinks are both sugary and highly acidic, a combination that softens tooth enamel and feeds decay. Sipping one slowly through a game keeps your teeth under acid attack for the whole session, and a dry mouth from hard exercise means less saliva to protect you. Enamel erosion from acidic drinks is permanent, and over time it leaves teeth sensitive and more yellow.
Smarter sideline drink habits
For most training sessions and games, water is all your body needs. If you do have a sports drink, drink it in one short sitting rather than sipping it for an hour, follow it with a mouthful of water, and wait about an hour before brushing so you are not scrubbing softened enamel. Chilled tap water in a squeeze bottle is the cheapest sports drink there is.
A custom mouthguard fitting is a quick appointment, and it costs far less than repairing a broken tooth. If you or your kids play winter sport, or a knock has already happened, our Brisbane team can fit a mouthguard, check an injury and keep your smile safe for the rest of the season.
Book an appointment
Booking online takes less than a minute, or you can call the practice during opening hours and our reception team will find a time that suits you.
