Sports dentistry: A comprehensive review

Sports dentistry is a specialized field that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of orofacial injuries and oral diseases associated with sports and physical activity. With the growing participation in competitive and recreational sports across all age groups, dental professionals play a crucial role in safeguarding athletes’ oral health, enhancing performance, and preventing long-term complications. This review highlights the scope of sports dentistry, epidemiology and patterns of sports-related orofacial injuries, preventive strategies with emphasis on mouthguards, emergency management of dental trauma, the impact of oral health on athletic performance, and the role of the sports dentist within the multidisciplinary sports healthcare team.