What to Do When a Sports Injury Affects Your Teeth
Sports dental injuries are among the most common dental emergencies seen in Calgary, affecting athletes of all ages — from minor league hockey players to weekend cyclists. A knocked-out tooth, fractured crown, or soft tissue laceration can be saved or significantly improved when you act quickly and seek licensed dental care promptly. Knowing what to do in the first minutes after a sports injury can make the difference between saving a tooth and losing it permanently.
The Most Common Sports-Related Dental Injuries
Understanding which injuries occur most often helps you respond appropriately. Sports contact — whether from a puck, elbow, fall, or collision — can cause a range of dental and oral injuries:
- Avulsed (knocked-out) tooth: The entire tooth, including the root, is displaced from the socket. This is a dental emergency requiring care within 30–60 minutes.
- Fractured or cracked tooth: A break in the enamel, dentine, or root caused by a direct blow. Severity ranges from a minor chip to a vertical root fracture.
- Luxated tooth: The tooth is partially displaced — pushed sideways, deeper into, or partially out of the socket — but remains attached.
- Tooth intrusion: The tooth is forcefully driven into the alveolar bone, which is particularly common in young children.
- Soft tissue injuries: Lacerations to the lips, tongue, gingival tissue (gums), or the inside of the cheeks are frequently associated with impact injuries.
- Jaw fractures: Severe impacts can fracture the mandible or maxilla, requiring immediate emergency medical and dental attention.
What to Do Immediately After a Sports Dental Injury
The actions you take in the moments after a dental injury are critical. Follow these steps:
If a Tooth Is Knocked Out
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white visible part) — never touch the root.
- If dirty, gently rinse with milk or saline. Do not scrub, dry, or wrap it in tissue.
- If possible, reinsert the tooth gently into its socket and hold it in place.
- If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk, saline, or between your cheek and gum to keep it moist.
- Seek emergency dental care within 30–60 minutes — this window is critical for successful reimplantation.
If a Tooth Is Chipped or Fractured
- Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the face to reduce swelling.
- Collect any broken tooth fragments if possible and bring them to your dentist.
- Avoid biting down on the affected tooth until it has been assessed by a licensed dentist.
For Soft Tissue Injuries
- Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or cloth to control bleeding.
- A cold compress can reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Lacerations that won’t stop bleeding or are deep may require emergency medical care in addition to dental treatment.
Treatment Options for Sports Dental Injuries
At a licensed dental clinic in Calgary NW, the treatment recommended will depend on the type and severity of the injury. Common restorative and emergency treatments include:
- Tooth reimplantation and splinting for avulsed teeth, followed by root canal therapy if needed
- Dental bonding or composite resin restoration for minor chips and fractures
- Dental crowns to restore a severely fractured tooth’s structure and function
- Root canal therapy (endodontic treatment) when the dental pulp is exposed or damaged
- Dental implants or a fixed bridge if a tooth cannot be saved and must be replaced
- Soft tissue suturing for significant gingival or mucosal lacerations
How to Prevent Sports Dental Injuries in Calgary
Prevention is always the preferred approach. A properly fitted custom mouthguard is the single most effective piece of protective equipment for your teeth during sport. Unlike over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards, a custom mouthguard fabricated by a licensed dentist is made from precise impressions of your teeth — offering superior fit, comfort, and impact absorption. Mouthguards are strongly recommended for contact sports such as hockey, football, rugby, boxing, and basketball, and are increasingly advised for non-contact sports like cycling, gymnastics, and skiing.
Calgary athletes of all ages — from children in minor sport leagues to adults in recreational leagues — benefit from wearing a properly fitted mouthguard consistently. Ask your dentist about having a custom guard made at your next appointment.
Book Emergency or Preventive Dental Care at Expressions Dental
Whether you’ve experienced a sports dental injury or want to protect your smile before the season begins, the experienced team at Expressions Dental in Calgary NW is here to help. We provide emergency dental care, custom mouthguard fabrication, and a full range of restorative treatments to get your smile back to full strength. Don’t wait — early treatment leads to the best outcomes. Visit expressionsdental.ca or call our clinic to book your appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out during a hockey game in Calgary?
If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with milk or saline if dirty, and try to reinsert it into the socket. If that isn't possible, keep it moist in milk or between your cheek and gum and get to an emergency dentist in Calgary within 30 to 60 minutes — this window is critical for successful reimplantation.
Can a knocked-out adult tooth be saved?
Yes, an avulsed (knocked-out) adult tooth can often be saved if you act quickly and reach a licensed dentist within 30 to 60 minutes. The tooth is reinserted into the socket and stabilised with a dental splint, and root canal therapy is usually needed afterward to preserve the tooth long-term.
Are custom mouthguards from a dentist better than ones from a sports store?
Custom mouthguards made by a licensed dentist are significantly more effective than over-the-counter boil-and-bite options. They are fabricated from precise impressions of your teeth, which means they fit better, stay in place during contact, and provide superior cushioning against impact — making them the recommended choice for any sport with collision risk.
What sports require a mouthguard in Calgary?
Mouthguards are strongly recommended for contact sports like hockey, football, rugby, lacrosse, and boxing, and are increasingly advised for sports like cycling, skiing, and gymnastics where falls are common. Your dentist at Expressions Dental Calgary NW can help determine whether a custom mouthguard is appropriate based on the sports you or your child participate in.
How do I know if my tooth is cracked after a sports injury?
Signs of a cracked tooth include sharp pain when biting down, sensitivity to hot or cold, or pain that comes and goes without an obvious cause. Because cracks are not always visible to the naked eye, you should see a licensed dentist promptly after any facial or mouth impact — a dental examination and X-rays can identify fractures before they worsen.
How much does a custom sports mouthguard cost at a Calgary dental clinic?
The cost of a custom mouthguard varies depending on the type and material used, but your dentist can provide a clear quote at your appointment. Custom mouthguards are a worthwhile investment compared to the cost of emergency dental treatment for an avulsed or fractured tooth — contact Expressions Dental at expressionsdental.ca for current pricing and to book a fitting.
What happens if I ignore a chipped tooth from a sports injury?
Ignoring a chipped or fractured tooth can allow bacteria to enter the exposed dentine or dental pulp, potentially leading to infection, abscess, or the need for root canal therapy or extraction. Even a small chip should be assessed by a licensed dentist promptly, as early treatment — such as dental bonding or a crown — is simpler, less costly, and more effective than treating complications later.