Do you secretly dream of being the next super-athlete, say like Tiger Woods, Serena Williams or Lance Armstrong (minus the doping and the drama)?
Whether you’re on the road to glory, or an everyday athlete starring in your own life story, you’ll need:
Commitment. Dedication. Hard work.
and…….
your TEETH.
Yup. No matter the sport, your teeth are going in with you. To stay in the game, you’ll need to stay in tip-top shape, and your teeth need to be an asset, not a liability.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
1. Wear your protective gear
Helmets, padding and mouth guards….are not athletic couture, but meant to keep you safe, and last more than just one game. This goes for all contact sports, but if you’re a heavy duty gym buff (like a weight lifter), a mouth guard is for you too.
Skip it and you risk your teeth getting bruised, battered or knocked out.
2. Eating more sugar? Floss it out
Energy bars, gels and chews….all that sugar may give your body that extra oomph when pushing your limits, but be sure to come home to your toothbrush and floss later that day, or else contend with an increased risk of cavities down the road.
3. Sports drinks….are they in you?
If you’re guzzling sports drinks to fuel your endurance….neither the acidic pH nor the high content of sugar are doing your enamel any favors, making it easy for bacteria to march forth and do damage.
Be sure to:
- moderate your intake–by choosing water outside of your activities, and
- fuel your prevention–by using higher fluoride in your daily oral care.
Pump up your daily oral care routine by asking your dentist for a prescription strength flouride toothpaste or gel, or use over-the-counter mouth rinses like ACT for extra protection from enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity and possible decay.
And, of course, keep up with your check ups with your dentist so you can maintain good oral health and stay ahead of any issues. Score!
Time out? Cut off? Delay of game?
Not you.
By building these simple–but effective–habits into your oral care, the last thing you’ll worry about during game time is your teeth….well, until you flash your big smile for the front pages 
Want to score big on your oral health? Call or email us:
(214) 522-3110 www.raodentistry.com
Image source: Sura Nualpradid
