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Common Sports-Related Tooth Injuries
Both contact and non-contact sports can result in tooth injuries - from minor chips to complete avulsion. The type and injury will dictate if it is a true emergency or something that can wait until an appointment can be scheduled.
Chipped tooth
For the most part minor chips are not considered and emergency. Although it doesn’t look good from an esthetic standpoint, most chips can be fixed at a later time and don’t require an after-hours visit to the dentist. I do find that most parents will consider this an emergency due to the way it looks.
If an injury occurred that caused bleeding or a laceration of the lip, this may be considered an emergency that requires stitches. In this case, an after-hours visit is definitely warranted. Most dental offices will have some type of after-hours call system for emergencies. If your dentist does not, a visit to the emergency room may be needed.
Loose tooth
A tooth that gets knocked loose or completely out needs to be treated as soon as possible. For a loose tooth, it is best to let a dentist reposition the tooth and stabilize it with a wire splint until it heals in about 6-8 weeks. For a tooth that gets avulsed (knocked completely out), it is important to keep it moist until it can be replanted. The best storage medium is Hank’s balanced salt solution that can be purchased at most drug stores. If that is not available, cold milk will also work. If all else fails, place the tooth inside the lip to keep it moist with saliva. The first 60 minutes is critical to a successful outcome. For young teeth, the success rate is much higher than for adult teeth. Again, time is the critical factor. The longer the tooth is out of the mouth, the lower the survival rate.