Sport is a brilliant way of releasing energy, keeping fit and meeting new people, but it does come with a high risk of injury. Sports injuries are very common and can happen to even the most amateur sportsmen amongst us.
Common sports injuries include twists and sprains, cuts and bruises and aches and pains. Most injuries are minor and heal quickly, but some can be very serious and result in months on the sidelines. Professional sportsmen are particularly prone to injuries as their bodies are put under constant strain. Contact injuries are particularly common in sports like rugby, where the body is subjected to great force from other people and hard surfaces. If you suffer an injury, take time out to have it treated; if you continue to play, the chances are you will make it worse. It is particularly important to get medical attention for head, neck and spinal injuries, as these could be extremely serious and potentially life threatening.
Dental injuries are also very common, with many people chipping, breaking and losing teeth as a result of participating in sports. If you lose a tooth, make sure you keep it in a glass of cool water or milk and see a dentist as quickly as possible; it may be possible to save the tooth if you get help quickly enough. Emergency dental services, are available 24 hours a day; costs may vary if you choose a private service will be more expensive. If you haven’t had a check-up for a while, you may find you need further treatments like fillings or root canal treatment, for example.
To prevent sports injuries, it’s important to prepare your body properly; always do a thorough warm up and cool down and wear protective clothing where possible; to protect the teeth it is advisable to wear a gum shield, especially if you are playing rugby or hockey where dental injuries are very common.
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