SCOTTSDALE, AZ — As fall youth sports get into full swing across Scottsdale, Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale is seeing a noticeable rise in emergency dental visits from teen athletes — a trend the practice expects to continue as winter sports like basketball and wrestling begin later in the season. This pattern mirrors national data on sports-related dental trauma and one the practice says is largely preventable.

According to the American Dental Association, collision sports carry a dentofacial injury rate topping 27 percent, and athletes who don't wear a mouthguard face dental trauma rates as high as 60 percent, compared to roughly 7.5 percent among those who do. Basketball, football, soccer, and wrestling remain among the most common sports linked to chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth in adolescents.

"We see it every season — a teen comes in after a collision on the field or an elbow to the mouth during a basketball game, and it's almost always something that proper mouthguard use could have prevented," said a spokesperson for Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale. "Parents are often surprised to learn how common these injuries are, and how quickly they need to be treated to give a tooth the best chance of being saved."

Why Timing Matters in a Dental Emergency

Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale emphasizes that how quickly a family responds to a sports-related dental injury can significantly affect the outcome. A knocked-out permanent tooth, for example, has the best chance of being successfully re-implanted if it's placed back in the socket or brought to a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes of the injury.

The practice offers the following guidance for parents and coaches dealing with a sports-related dental injury:

For a knocked-out tooth: Handle it by the crown (not the root), rinse gently if dirty, and try to reinsert it into the socket. If that's not possible, store it in milk or saliva and get to a dentist immediately.
For a chipped or fractured tooth: Rinse the mouth with warm water and, if possible, save any broken tooth fragments to bring to the appointment.
For a loosened tooth: Avoid touching or wiggling it further, and seek dental evaluation as soon as possible to prevent additional damage.
For any facial swelling or persistent bleeding: Treat it as an emergency and seek care immediately rather than waiting for a regular appointment.

Prevention Remains the Best Defense

Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale continues to encourage families to prioritize custom-fitted mouthguards for any teen participating in contact or high-velocity sports, noting that properly fitted guards offer significantly better protection than generic, store-bought versions.

The practice offers emergency dental appointments for patients experiencing sports-related injuries and other urgent dental issues, with same-day evaluations available for time-sensitive cases such as knocked-out or severely damaged teeth.

Parents and athletes seeking more information on emergency dental care can visit Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale's emergency dentistry page.

About Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale

Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale provides comprehensive dental care to patients throughout Scottsdale, Arizona, including general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry services. The practice is dedicated to providing prompt, compassionate care for patients experiencing dental emergencies, including sports-related injuries in children and teens.

Media Contact:
Dentistry of Old Town Scottsdale
7449 E Osborn Rd #4, Scottsdale, AZ 85251