There’s a lot to admire about Olympians—their physical prowess, their intense competitiveness, their unwavering discipline. Less admirable? Their dental health.
According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on athletes who competed in the 2012 Olympics, these elite athletes are 50% more likely to have cavities than the general population. Moreover, about three-fourths of the surveyed Olympians had gingivitis.
Another aspect where you might have an edge against an Olympian? Tooth count. Indeed, many Olympic events are a contact sports, so it’s not surprising why boxers might lose a chomper or two during their career. And even in sports that don’t involve punching or tackling, mishaps during practice sessions might also lead to lost tooth.
However, you don’t need to be an Olympian to be familiar with the realities of tooth loss in sports. Just look at NHL players like Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers. And if you’ve ever played sports in high school or college, then you too may have lost a tooth or two.
Unfortunately, a lost tooth isn’t something you should take lightly. According to a leading dentist in Greenville, SC, a missing tooth can have very real and very serious consequences.
Difficulties with a Missing Tooth
To begin with, a person’s ability to chew is hampered because of the missing tooth. This is especially troublesome if the tooth in question is an incisor or a molar. Likewise, a missing tooth can hinder one’s speech, making it harder to communicate with others.
Aside from this, a missing tooth can also affect your self-confidence. Indeed, many people are embarrassed by their less-than-perfect smiles, which might cause them to retreat socially.
Most importantly, a lost tooth can cause the surrounding jawbone to deteriorate over time, causing further tooth loss. And the nearby tooth also shift towards the gap, causing crooked teeth that may be harder to brush and floss.
Luckily, there are now many options to replace a lost tooth. For those with more modest budgets, dentures may just be the solution they’re looking for. If only a single tooth is missing, then perhaps a dental bridge will suffice. But for those who are looking for optimal tooth replacement, dental implants are currently the best option available because they offer natural looking and permanent replacement teeth.
Indeed, a missing tooth can have serious consequences. If you need more guidance, a practitioner that offers cosmetic dentistry in Greenville, SC can further discuss the various options available to you.
Sources:
Dental Implants, deardoctor.com
Your teeth are probably better than an Olympian’s, arstechnica.com
The Best (Toothless) Smiles in the NHL, ranker.com