Preventative Dental Care


Mouth Guards for Adults?

A big reason so many people my age (see: upper 20s, early 30s) get into competitive sports isn’t exactly the competitive side of things. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s to get back into shape, to be healthier and more fit than they currently find themselves. But engaging in a sport or activity that takes them back to their college days does wonders in bringing up that competitive desire to be better all while burning fat and toning muscles.


The problem is, as we age and start to see the effects of getting older, our bodies don’t respond nearly as well as they used to in our prime. In fact, we’re much more injury prone and in danger of breaking something than ever before.

One thing no one happens to think about when prepping for a big game in their intramural or rec league, though, is tooth damage.

Everyone likes to think that mouth guards are reserved for children and professional athletes. I’m here, however, to convince you otherwise. I can’t tell you how often I’ve come down hard after a big rebound in a game of basketball and clenched my teeth so hard that they felt like they would break. It’s gotten to the point that I told my fiancee I wanted a mouth guard immediately.


Luckily, I talked to my dentist and was able to have my mouth fitted for a mouth guard specifically for me. Since then, I don’t play any sports without it. While running and working out without it is fine, I don’t engage in any sort of contact sports unless I’ve got my mouth guard fitted in my mouth and ready to go.

Too often we have a stigma about these sorts of things, as if it makes you less of an athlete to wear a mouth guard. And I can’t say how far from the truth that really is. Protecting your teeth for the future and protecting your wallet from bills incurred is just a smart move on your part. There’s no point in stepping on a court without having the proper mouth protection. I’m here to testify to the use of such preventative gear, especially considering the fact that I’ve been elbowed in the mouth multiple times since getting a mouth guard (you wouldn’t believe how competitive some of these men in my rec basketball league are).

Take the steps to ensure your dental health is safe while playing these sorts of sports. You won’t regret it.

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