The upcoming hockey season brings with it a focus on oral safety, with concerns about dental trauma in sports. Studies have shown that there are over one billion people worldwide who have experienced dental trauma, with around 30 percent of hockey players in Canada experiencing such injuries. In response to this, Liran Levin, president of the International Association of Dental Traumatology, created the inaugural Global Dental and Oral Trauma Day. The goal of this day is to raise awareness about prevention and proper management of dental injuries, highlighting the importance of prevention and treatment.
Levin emphasized that the long-term effects of dental injuries can be significant. Unlike a broken bone that can heal with minimal long-term impact, a broken tooth can set off a series of ongoing dental issues that may require lifelong treatment. This can lead to a cascade of events that require ongoing care and treatment for the affected tooth. Proper prevention through the use of mouthguards, especially in sports, is crucial to avoiding traumatic dental injuries. Quick responses and proper treatment can mean the difference between keeping natural teeth or having to undergo painful and expensive dental procedures like extractions, bone grafting, and implants.
The International Association of Dental Traumatology has taken steps to provide resources for preventing and treating dental injuries. They have launched a free app called ToothSOS, which offers guidance on preventing and treating injuries to the teeth. The app includes a section on prevention, as well as a feature that allows users to input the specific injury to receive immediate advice on what to do and how urgent the situation is. This quick access to information can be invaluable in the event of a dental injury, ensuring that individuals know how to respond appropriately.
Proper management of dental injuries is essential to maintaining oral health and preventing long-term consequences. By raising awareness about dental trauma and providing resources for prevention and treatment, the dental community hopes to reduce the prevalence of traumatic injuries and improve outcomes for those who do experience them. The importance of oral safety, particularly in sports like hockey, cannot be overstated, and taking steps to protect the teeth can go a long way in avoiding costly and painful dental procedures in the future.
As hockey season approaches, it is essential to prioritize oral safety and take steps to prevent dental trauma. Initiatives like Global Dental and Oral Trauma Day and resources like the ToothSOS app are valuable tools in raising awareness and providing guidance for preventing and treating dental injuries. By equipping individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to protect their oral health, the dental community hopes to reduce the impact of dental trauma and improve outcomes for those who experience these injuries. With proper prevention and quick responses, the risk of long-term consequences from dental injuries can be minimized, ensuring a healthier and happier smile for years to come.
