Rugby, hailed as “a beastly sport played by gentlemen,” may want to invite more dentists to weigh in on the sport’s reputation.
A Brisbane-area rugby player told Australian media that he competed in the physically demanding sport for more than three months without knowing an opponent’s tooth was embedded in his head.
A doctor located the tooth last week beneath the skin of Ben Czislowski’s head after treating him for an eye infection, according to the player.
The 24-year-old was playing for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls on April 1 when he and forward Matt Austin knocked heads, breaking Austin’s jaw.
“We had a bit of a head clash and I realized he’d lost some teeth, but I just assumed they were on the ground,” Czislowski said. “I never thought they were lodged in my head. I just got it stitched up and that was about it.”
Czislowski kept competing for more than 15 weeks, despite feeling lethargic and complaining of shooting pains in his head.
Last week, his doctor discovered the root of the problem, he said.
“I can laugh about it now, but the doctor told me it could have been serious, because teeth carry germs,” Czislowski said.
“I’ve got the tooth at home, sitting on the bedside table,” he said. “If he [Austin] wants it back, he can have it. I’m keeping it at the moment as proof that it actually happened.”
So what are you to do if you happen to knock out a tooth?
Here is a video that gives some tips on what to do if you happen to lose a tooth