Who’s ready for the fall sports season? If you are the parent of an athlete, you’ve probably spent countless moments at the game cringing at the sight of balls whizzing by your child’s face.
- Dry mouth. If you read our blog regularly, you know that regular saliva production is necessary to help get rid of bacteria and other disease-causing debris in the mouth. However, for many athletes who breathe through their mouth while playing sports, dry mouth can be a problem. That’s why regular water consumption is so important.
- Sports drinks. A favorite of many athletes, regular consumption of sugary, sports drinks can lead to sugar overload for teeth and result in corrosion of dental enamel, cavities, gingivitis, and ultimately lead to infection of the gums. While hydration is key when playing sports, it’s best to do it with water.
- From practices to games to homework and other extracurricular activities, there’s no denying that being an athlete is stressful. For many athletes, pre-competition jitters can lead to an upset stomach and vomiting. If your athlete has this issue, it is important to brush and rinse thoroughly as stomach acid can erode tooth enamel and cause decay. Another common symptom of stress is teeth grinding or jaw clenching. If your athlete suffers from any of these issues, it’s important to discuss potential solutions with your dentist.
If you have an athlete in your family, give us a call today at 573-243-5200 and let us help develop a dental care routine that works for him or her. We can help find protective gear that fits and get preventative care schedule planned. We also offer before and after school appointments for convenience.