Facial Injuries from Winter Sports – Treatment and Prevention

Winter sports frequently cause facial injuries that require expert care from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

With skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, the vast speed means any collision has the potential to cause serious facial trauma. Ice skating can be just as hazardous, particularly for people who lack experience.

Fortunately, when the unforeseen happens, the professional team at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah can step in and repair facial injuries. And, for anyone actively involved in winter sports, we have tips to stay safe and prevent future facial trauma.

Treatment for a Tooth Damage

A misstep out on the slopes, a wrong turn out on the snowmobile or a fall at the ice skating rink – any incident could leave you with tooth damage.

Sometimes, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can save a broken or knocked-out tooth. However, if the damage extends to the roots or a broken tooth has cracks below the gumline, this may not be possible. The same goes for a knocked-out tooth that isn’t reimplanted within the hour.

When tooth damage from winter sports is extensive, extraction may be necessary. In that case, your oral surgeon will explain your tooth replacement options.

Treatment for Facial Fractures

Any skiing, snowmobiling, snowboarding or ice skating accident could cause facial fractures.

Prompt treatment is essential for these serious facial injuries – left untreated, broken bones in the cheeks, nose and jaw can create severe complications. If you’re involved in an accident and notice significant facial swelling, a black eye, blurred vision, a nosebleed or numbness anywhere in the face, seek out treatment from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon right away.

Oral surgeons understand how to effectively repair facial fractures. With their in-depth knowledge of the structures of the face, neck and mouth, they can correct broken bones with minimal post-surgical scarring.

Tips to Prevent Facial Injuries from Winter Sports

If you enjoy winter sports, you’d be wise to protect yourself. You can’t always prevent accidents and serious facial injuries, but you can take steps to reduce your risk – and to mitigate the amount of damage you suffer should an incident occur.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend:

• Wearing the proper protective gear – such as a helmet, goggles, gloves and padding — for your chosen sport
• Checking the condition of your winter sports equipment and protective gear before each use
• Taking lessons from a well-qualified instructor, learning the safety rules for your sport and finding out how to fall correctly
• Understanding your limits and observing common sense safety precautions

If you need expert treatment for facial injuries and you’re in the greater Salt Lake City area, turn to the professional team at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah.

With over ten years of experience treating tooth damage, facial fractures and complex sports-related trauma, our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons — Dr. Partridge and Dr. Maxfield – have the advances skills to provide the care you require. Contact Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Utah in Cottonwood Heights, South Jordan or Tooele for fast, effective treatment for facial injuries today.