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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