3 Things All Athletes Should Do for Their Teeth

Dentist Dr. Thomas Long has seen firsthand what can happen when “the
puck stops here.” In addition to seeing everyday athletes in his private
practice, Dr. Long (a former college hockey player himself) is the team
dentist for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes.

No matter what sport or skill level, Dr. Long says athletes need to
take care of their teeth both on and off the field. “Most athletes are
careful about what they eat and their workout routine. Part of that
routine should include taking care of your mouth and teeth every single
day,” he says. “It would be a shame to miss practice or a game because
you are in the dentist’s office receiving treatment or recovering from a
dental surgical procedure.”

Here, Dr. Long shares his playbook for a healthy mouth.

Make a Mouthguard Part of Your Uniform

Helmet? Check. Knee pads? Check. Mouthguard? Check! Mouthguards
usually cover your upper teeth and protect your teeth, lips, tongue,
face and jaw against injuries, so they need to be part of your uniform
in any sport you play.

Wearing a mouthguard regularly becomes second nature. It does not
matter what type of mouthguard you choose, just make sure it fits
properly. “The athletes I see feel better when they start wearing them,
and they feel a little naked without them after they get used to them,”
Dr. Long says

In fact, many sports won’t let you play without one. Dr. Long says
USA Hockey requires all youth players to wear a mouthguard. “The
referees have to be able to see it, and it has to be colored,” he says.
“I think that’s a great idea.”

Sideline Sugary Sports Drinks

If you need to quench your thirst, reach for water instead of a
sports drink. “People are trying to rehydrate, but there may be a lot of
sugar in those drinks,” Dr. Long says.

The bacteria in your mouth will use the sugar from your sports drink
to produce an acid that weakens the hard outer shell of your teeth,
which may increase your risk for cavities over time.

In his experience with the Hurricanes, Dr. Long says he doesn’t often
see professional athletes drinking sports drinks. “Their diets are so
well-managed they just don’t have a lot of sugar,” he says. “They make
their own sports drinks, and they’re more high-protein shakes than
sugary sports drinks.”

Brush, Floss, Rinse, Repeat

Practice makes perfect when you’re mastering the skills of any sport,
so do the same with your daily dental habits. Dr. Long says an
unhealthy tooth is more likely to be damaged if a sports injury happens.
“A tooth that has had a lot of decay and a lot of fillings is nowhere
near as strong as a tooth that has not had decay and has not had a lot
of fillings,” he says.

Keep your smile strong by brushing twice a day for two minutes and
flossing once a day. Then, in the home stretch of your daily dental
routine, use an ADA-Accepted mouthwash.