Shield Yourself: Safeguarding Against Sports Facial Injuries | Oral Surgeon Plainfield

Posted on by admin

Your face and mouth are highly vulnerable during sports activities, accounting for approximately 25% of all sports injuries. The cost and complexity of repairing these damages make prevention crucial. By learning how to protect yourself and responding effectively in case of injury, you can stay ahead of the game. Here, we provide essential steps to follow:

Preventing Injuries:

The first and foremost step is to equip yourself with appropriate gear before engaging in any sports activity. Helmets are mandatory in organized sports like football or hockey, but adding a full cage or visor offers extra facial protection on the field or ice.

Furthermore, wearing a properly fitted mouthguard is essential to safeguard your teeth and jaw while playing sports. Investing in a custom form-fit mouthguard is recommended for optimal protection and comfort. Ensuring child athletes have the right protective gear is especially crucial, as contact sports such as football, hockey, and MMA have gained popularity.

Responding to Injuries: 

Despite taking precautions, injuries can still occur. Knowing how to respond is vital for your safety. Depending on the severity and type of trauma, some injuries can be addressed on-site, allowing the athlete to continue play. Many organized sports have trained personnel or coaches available to assess and manage injuries. Their expertise minimizes the risk of aggravating the injury further.

If a tooth is knocked out during play, it should be temporarily stored in milk or saltwater and promptly placed back into the socket. For other serious injuries, immediate medical attention is essential to prevent further damage.

Maintaining proper protection and understanding how to prevent sports-related facial injuries not only ensures your safety but also protects your teammates. If you have any concerns about sports-related facial injuries or have previously experienced a facial injury, contact our Orland Park office today. The Chicago Dental Implants, Oral & Facial Surgery team is here to help you stay safe and perform your best on the field.

Chicago Dental Implants, Oral & Facial Surgery
Phone: (708) 301-5000
10713 W 159th Street
Orland Park, IL 60467

Oral Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life | Oral Surgeon Orland Park

Posted on by admin

Our expert dentist wants to remind patients that our office offers thorough oral cancer screening as part of our comprehensive dental health services. Like with every form of cancer, early diagnosis can have a profound impact on the success of your treatment. Regular screenings are your first line of defense against oral cancer and our doctor is here to help. 

In your screening, our doctor will check your lips, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat for any abnormalities that could be or become cancerous. We will give careful consideration to any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you have experienced any oral cancer symptoms for more than a week without improvement, schedule an appointment and tell your dentist immediately. Symptoms that could indicate oral cancer include: 

  • Ear pain 
  • Unexplained mouth bleeding 
  • Mouth sores that don’t heal 
  • White or red patches in your mouth 
  • Dramatic weight loss 
  • Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth 
  • Sore throat without other sinus symptoms  
  • Sensation of something caught in the back of your throat 
  • Pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue 

One adult American dies of oral cancer every hour. Though anyone can develop oral cancer, some factors can increase your risks. Some of the most common risk factors include: genetic predisposition, prolonged sun exposure, unhealthy diet, and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Oral cancer is more common in men than women. Patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are at increased risk. Users of tobacco in any form are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-users. 

Whatever the cause, the success of treatment depends on the size, type, and stage of the cancer. Early detection can play a critical role in your successful recovery. When found in early stages, oral cancers have an 80 – 90% survival rate. The primary reason for this is that early detection leads to earlier treatment. Oral cancers that are found in early or precancerous stages can often be removed and require less invasive procedures to treat. Later stages of cancer are likely to be larger and more complex and often have spread far beyond your mouth.  

We are accepting new patients. If you would like more information about oral cancer and oral cancer screening, contact our office for a consultation. 

Chicago Dental Implants, Oral & Facial Surgery
Phone: (708) 301-5000
10713 W 159th Street
Orland Park, IL 60467