Whether you believe it or not, your smile could be in danger this softball season. In fact, you could increase your chances of having dental issues as you sit in the dugout, swing the bat and catch softballs. Our dentists, Dr. and associates, cares for your smile and oral health, which is why they encourages you to care for and protect your teeth and gums as you play. To help you do so, they recommends doing the following things:
-Don’t chew tobacco: Tobacco is one of the biggest enemies of the smile and oral health. This is because it affects the esthetics of the smile and mouth by causing severely stained teeth and bad breath and because it affects the health of the mouth by causing tooth decay, root decay, gum disease and oral cancer. Please avoid tobacco use at all costs.
-Don’t chew sunflower seeds: When you crack the shells of the seeds with your teeth, the pressure applied to the enamel can cause enamel loss and tooth cracks. This can be dangerous for the smile. So, try to avoid chewing sunflower seeds. If you must, you can eat the seeds if they are shell-less.
-Wear a mouthguard: A mouthguard can absorb the force and protect your smile when hard, forceful objects hit your mouth during the game. It’s best to wear a mouthguard regularly so you can avoid knocked-out teeth, broken teeth and other dental injuries. You can find boil and bite mouthguards online or at your local sporting goods store.
To learn more about how to protect your smile in Draper, Utah, please contact Out Of This World Dentistry & Orthodontics at your earliest convenience. All you need to do is dial 801-571-6751 and our dental team will be happy to pass along the tips, information, and answers you need to achieve your goals. We have three convenient locations for you!