Athletes often have the best bodies, with amazingly fast reflexes and ripping muscles accentuating their bodily achievement. But all the hours of training can take a toll on your teeth in ways you would not realize.
To retain energy throughout the day, athletes often consume large amounts of carbohydrates which mainly contain sugars. They also suffer from dehydration as a result of sports and the lack of saliva has a direct impact on your tooth health.
But not just that, a lot of athletes involved in contact sports are also prone to dental injuries. The American Dental Association published findings that an approximate 13%-39% of all dental injuries result from high impact sports. (Source: https://jada.ada.org/)
One collision with your competitor and your smile can go from fab to drab in seconds! In such cases, dental implant treatment is your best bet to create a new root system. In this procedure, a titanium screw is fused to your jawbone to anchor a strong lasting root system.
Aftercare for Dental Implants:
- Do a Saltwater Rinse
A saltwater rinse keeps your mouth clean after dental implant surgery. A day after your surgery, give your mouth a gentle rinse using salt water. Put the solution in your mouth and slowly rotate it from side to side. You can swish the solution in your mouth after the second or third day of treatment.
- Apply Ice if Needed
Swelling is normal after dental implant surgery. Minimize the swelling using an ice pack wrapped in a towel or a plastic bag over the affected area. Apply the ice pack as long as you can for at least the first 36 hours. So you may have to re-think your schedule post surgery.
- Regularly Floss at Home
Just like every other dental treatment, dental implants also require additional care. Following a regular oral care routine is crucial to keep your teeth bacteria and plaque free. Flossing should be done every day to get rid of food debris that isn’t easily removed with a toothbrush. Make sure you floss gently to prevent any discomfort to your implants and other teeth.
- Wear a Mouth Guard to Protect Teeth and Jaw
You will get back to playing your sport soon after surgery. This means you need to need to take extra care of your implants and other sets of teeth. Wearing a custom mouth guard will protect you from blows in the face and other potential damage to your mouth. Your new set of dental implants needs to be well-protected to ensure it lasts a lifetime.
- Visit Dentist for Regular Checkups
You will have to see your dentist to check if the dental implant requires adjustments. In addition, your implants also need to be cleaned by a professional at regular intervals. A thorough cleaning will clean the threads of the implant, the surrounding teeth, and your natural teeth. This helps in keeping bacteria away which might otherwise lead to an infection.
- Annual X-ray Examination
To ensure your dental implants are in place and are not susceptible to additional damage, you will have to follow up with your dentist with an annual x-ray examination for the first three years post-surgery.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
Dental implants are standalone structures and take the sole support of your jaw bone. And there is no modification of your existing teeth. Dental implants rarely need to be replaced and last a lifetime if they are well-cared for.
If your oral condition is evaluated correctly and you don’t have any teeth problems, you are a candidate for dental implants. You may soon forget that they are in your mouth, that’s how natural they feel!
Most star athletes have turned to dental implants to replace missing teeth. Your smile is given an instant boost. And confidence plays a big role in moving ahead in the world of sports.
Dental implants are a great option for athletes. With a carefully carried out complex procedure, implants are an excellent solution to replace a lost tooth that would otherwise lead to an infection.
Fordental implants in Goodyear, AZ, book an appointment with Dr. Joshua Hong DDS for an effective solution to be the star athlete that you are!