In some sports, injuries are accidents that can be prevented with care and precision. But in other sports, those equally maligned and celebrated "contact sports", getting injured and recovering from injury aren't just inevitable- they're a part of the game. All sports are physical, but what separates the dangerous contact sports from their placid counterparts is that for the athlete, inflicting pain and injuries (and receiving it) are tactics to achieve a victory.
If you are an athlete in a sport such as martial arts, football, hockey, or lacrosse, you need to be aware of the risks, the prevention methods, and the recovery options involved with serious physical contact as it pertains to dental health.
Mostly overlooked in contact sports as an area of concern, dental health during and after a match is more than just a cosmetic issue. Ironically, it is due to its aesthetic appeal when left unchecked that preoccupation with dental health is relegated to an inferior, pusillanimous concern. Among boxers and hockey players, who is not intimidated by a seasoned veteran entering the arena with a mouth full of gaps and cracked teeth- a proclamation of toughness?
At least among boxers, it has long been a tradition that fighters with unscarred faces were to be either regarded as neophytes or cowards, a stigma that can be a serious tactical disadvantage for the aforementioned "pretty-boys" when it comes time to fight. However, what a fighter or player in any sport may lack in intimidation force with a full head of teeth, they can make up for in physical performance and stability.
Consider this, irresponsible protection of the jaw and teeth can lead to a disorder known as TMJ. TMJ causes locking in the jaw and reduced range of muscle movement. In the ring or on the field, TMJ can impair an athlete's ability to talk and breathe through their mouth. For a boxer, an inability to breathe correctly can spell doom during a match, whether or not their chipped front teeth are fearful to their opponent.
As an athlete it is wisest to trust your victory to your own abilities and strengths rather than to hope for a failure on the part of your opponent. Proper dental health can be ensured through following the safety rules first established when you began your sport: wear a mouth-guard, protect your head, and refrain from grinding or clenching your teeth. It's contrary to an athlete's expectation, but easing up the muscle tension in your face (rather than increasing and flexing the muscles of the face) is key to preventing a broken jaw or a disorder from getting hit.
Contact sports are made to test an athlete's dedication, valor, and toughness. Stay in the game longer and play better by knowing the dangers of dental injury and its' methods of prevention. By fighting carelessness, you put yourself in a better position to win and to continue dominance in your sport of choice.