Dental trauma due to sport is devastating to any athlete but is made worse when the athlete is young and still growing. Orofacial trauma is relatively common in the pediatric population and can have significant management problems. Continued maxillary and alveolar growth, development, and maturation of individual teeth, as well as behavioral considerations create unique challenges in the management of this population. Children and youths have increased risk factors for dental trauma due to sports, including untreated malocclusions, an increase in risk-taking behavior, and undeveloped coordination and skill levels. This review article aims to increase awareness as to the role of sports in dental and orofacial injuries, discuss risk factors for this trauma as well as its prevention, and outline risk minimization for the pediatric athlete.
Journal of the California Dental Association Vol. 33, no. 6, p. 457-61