In many of the combat sports such as footy, wrestling, boxing, basketball, hockey or even American football, losing teeth is almost a given. Even lighter non-combat sports such as tennis can pose a risk to your teeth. It is not just the risk of knocking out your teeth that you should be worried about; you could also bite your tongue hard which is an even more distressing experience!
No one wants to go through dental injuries. They are extremely painful and distressing and right in your face. They are not something you would simply wish way and continue with your day. That is why extra care and attention should be put into better protecting your teeth when involved in various high-risk sports that can pose serious dental injury risks. Here are some tips on how you can come out of the pitch with your teeth intact, always:
Use mouth guards
It is almost a no-brainer. If you are going to engage in any high risk combat sport, make sure you use a mouth guard in order to minimise the potential for injuries as much as possible. The best thing is that mouth guards are relatively cheap so you can usually afford it. They are also available over the counter and many of these are generally a one-size-fits-all while others can be sculpted and fitted precisely into your oral cavity. The best mouth guards are generally those that has been customised by your dentist to fit your mouth. Just pay your local dentist a visit and ask them for the best mouth guard solution for your needs.
Buy helmets
You can also buy helmets that come with a face guard. Helmets provide an overall protection for your face area thus limiting the dental injuries. It is also advisable to buy pieces of helmet that are designed and built for your particular support. Don’t juts pick any that you find over the counter. This way, you will wear helmets that will offer you optimal protection and comfort in your sport.
Protecting your teeth in solo sports
Your teeth are not just at risk of injury in the team combat or person-to-person sports. Even in solo sports such as cycling, skating and skiing, you could still incur serious dental injuries through falls and crashes. You could run into anything when playing these sports such as trees, walls, cars or other pedestrians with the risk of serious injuries. Make sure you buy the appropriate protective headgear such as a helmet. If you can also include a mouth guard in your protective arsenal to protect your teeth, you will be largely safe in your adventures.
How to protect your teeth when swimming
In the swimming pool, you don’t really run the risk of breaking a tooth from a collision or crash. The main risk here is the cleanliness of the swimming pool. If it is not well maintained, then the chemicals or dirt in the swimming pool could have a damaging effect on your teeth over duration of time. A swimming pool that is too acidic may result in the corrosion of the enamel which will make your teeth a lot more sensitive.
With too much corrosion of the enamel, your teeth will also begin appearing more yellowish. If you will be spending a lot of time in a swimming pool that you suspect has low PH, it is advisable to use toothpaste that strengthens the enamels and reduce teeth sensitivity. Additionally, take extra precautions to make sure the pool is well maintained and has the right amount of chlorine.