The world can come to a screeching halt when you suffer a displaced tooth—and if this happens in the middle of a game or workout, you might be worried that your new dental injury won’t just sideline you, but could also lead to serious issues if left untreated. These concerns are valid, as having missing teeth is problematic for athletes and non-athletes alike. That said, dental implants offer an incredible solution for athletes with missing teeth. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Missing Teeth Need to Be Replaced
Lost teeth create gaps in a person’s smile, and over time, any remaining natural teeth can shift toward these gaps and eventually fall out themselves. This leads to an undesirable chain effect that causes teeth to continue falling out. Fortunately, dental implants can directly counter this; due to their unique placement in the patient’s jawbone, they fill out those gaps and encourage the remaining teeth to stay in place. Better yet, this dissuades other issues like bone resorption, which occurs when the jaw isn’t receiving adequate stimulation from tooth roots.
How Athletes Can Benefit from Dental Implants
Even though anyone with missing teeth can benefit from dental implants, it’s worth highlighting how they can specifically assist athletes. First, it’s important to mention that among athletes, there’s certainly a need to replace missing teeth; according to the American Dental Association, roughly 10% to 40% of all dental injuries result from high-impact sports, and a large percentage of these injuries include displaced teeth!
A dental implant is perhaps the gold standard for replacing a missing tooth, and they offer several unique advantages to athletes over other tooth replacement options. Solutions such as dentures, bridges, and flippers, though useful, need to be removed and protected during sporting events since they’re easily damaged. And since dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone, they can’t be removed—and they’ll sturdily remain there while you compete.
Tips for Keeping Your Dental Implants Intact
Your dental implants can serve you well for several decades if you take great care of them and don’t skip the little things. Here are some tips to keep your implants from failing prematurely:
- Implants might replace your teeth, but they don’t eliminate the need to care for your smile. Continue to brush, floss, and rinse daily to ensure your mouth is clean and capable of hosting your implants.
- Take protective measures whenever you suit up to play or compete, including wearing the appropriate gear such as a helmet, facemask, or mouthguard to protect your new smile.
- Continue to visit your dentist for routine preventive care; they can regularly inspect and take X-rays of your implants for signs of damage or concern.
About the Practice
MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has proudly served patients and families in the Fairfax, VA area for several years. The practice is fortunate to have two skilled dentists at the helm: Dr. Malcolm Murray and Dr. Ahmed Saadoon. Together they combine several years of experience to offer a wide range of available services, including restorative options like dental implants. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to schedule a consultation to see if they might benefit you, feel free to contact the practice online or by phone for further information. Telephone: (703) 934-5540.
