Athletes and Oral Care: How to Score a Touchdown for Your Teeth

When you are out on the field, the ice, or the court, the last thing you have on your mind is dental health. However, there is a time and a place for dental health—and maintaining a healthy mouth will help keep you in competitive shape. There are a number of mouth hygiene and protection tips that can benefit amateur and professional athletes. Here are a few of the ways you can score on the gridiron of life and get that touchdown for your teeth. 

<h2>Use Mouth Guards</h2> 

This tip is huge! There are a ton of ways you can permanently damage your teeth while playing football, basketball, or any sport that requires physical contact. In order to keep your teeth from grinding and taking sport-related damage, it is essential to use a mouth guard. 

<h2>Avoid Sugary Sports Drinks</h2> 

Sugary sports beverages have been marketed to athletes for decades now, and these companies make beaucoup bucks selling these drinks to sports players in every league. While the electrolytes in these products may be beneficial for serious athletes, these drinks often have large amounts of sugar in them, which can have devastating effects on your teeth. For the sake of your oral health, you should consider staying away from (or at least limiting your intake of) sports drinks. 

<h2>Practice Good Oral Hygiene</h2>

This is another big one. Brushing, flossing, and going for regular checkups is the most important step in keeping your mouth healthy and game-ready. Mouthwash is very important to cleaning areas in your mouth that are hard to reach using your toothbrush, floss, or a water pick. Your dentist will have specific tips for your individual situation. 

<h2>Post-Accident Dental Care</h2>

If you have had a sports-related injury and somehow damaged your teeth or mouth, working with professionals like the folks at The Smile Architects or other dental health professionals is the first step to getting back on the court or field. There are a number of strategies for caring for your teeth including surgery, dental implants/bonding, root canals, and other procedures. 

At the end of the day, a healthy mouth means a happy life. If you suffer from poor hygiene or neglected dental care, your performance on the field will suffer, as well. Take proactive steps to keep your mouth healthy so you can keep your head in the game. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is doubly true for your dental care.