As Wikipedia says: “By number of participants, football is the most popular sport in Croatia.”
The Croatian national football team inspires many generations of children, who see it as proof that we too can stand among the best and greatest countries in the world.
And how to protect your smile during sports activities is the topic of today’s blog from Dental Center 4Smile.
Sports dentistry – prevention
Sports dentistry includes the prevention of injuries to the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity by using properly fitted mouthguards to protect the teeth and mouth. Contrary to what you might think, sports dentistry is for everyone-not just professional athletes.
Most people practice some form of sport in their free time for enjoyment and relaxation. However, injuries can often occur during sports activities. Injuries to the head, neck, face, soft tissues of the mouth, and teeth make up a significant portion of sports injuries.
Do you know which services athletes use most often?
A mouthguard, i.e., a protective splint to prevent potential tooth injuries, and Invisalign, which allows them to play sports freely while straightening their teeth.
Mouthguard – Protective splint
Mouthguards play an important role in reducing accidents and preventing sports injuries.
They are recommended even for the youngest athletes or children whose permanent teeth have begun to erupt-not only in sports but also during everyday play. It is well known that most dental injuries occur in children.
Choosing, designing, and making a mouthguard is extremely important.
Options include buying ready-made mouthguards or having custom-made mouthguards created by your dentist in Zagreb – Ivan Antolković.
Although cheaper, ready-made mouthguards do not ensure optimal adaptation to the stomatognathic system and may cause damage to the jaw joints because they are not individualized for each patient. Custom-made mouthguards created by your dentist offer the best protection, comfort, and safety.
How to maintain a mouthguard
Before and after use, the mouthguard should be washed. When it is not needed, it should be kept in a special box that you receive when purchasing it.
Do not allow your teeth to become damaged or destroyed while practicing your favorite sport (professionally or recreationally) simply because you did not have the proper protection at the right moment.
Sports dentistry – treatment
Sports dentistry also includes the treatment of athletes who suffer dental and oral injuries during competitions or training, as well as maintaining regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene.
Dental Center 4Smile and dentist Ivan Antolković from Zagreb have collaborated with many athletes. Dr. Ivan himself is a handball player and is connected with many sports clubs.
Ivan Antolković believes that prevention and regular check-ups are part of life-both in sports and in general. To practice sports successfully, it is important to have healthy teeth.
Professional players are required to treat their dental problems and are aware that many musculoskeletal system diseases can originate from dental issues. In order to participate in professional sports, they come for check-ups once a year.
Invisalign – invisible braces
Invisalign is the newest method used in orthodontics – a so-called “invisible” dental brace that looks very similar to a regular dental splint. The method involves replacing the aligner every few weeks, allowing gradual visible changes as the teeth straighten.
With Invisalign, it is important to ensure that you are using the original version of the braces, as many cheaper copies can be found on the market.
One of the most famous Croatian footballers solved his problem of crooked teeth with Invisalign. Do you know who we are talking about?
If you want to protect your teeth while practicing sports, book a free consultation, after which we will take an impression of your teeth and create a custom mouthguard tailored to your smile!
