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Of all people, why do elite athletes tend to have bad teeth? You would think that people who spend so much time and effort on their bodies would not neglect their mouths, but they do. Paul Piccininni, the dental director for the International Olympic Committee has seen the problem first-hand time and time again.

He bluntly commented on the issue, saying, “they have bodies of Adonis and a garbage mouth.” He has seen many athletes over the year who have had serious dental problems, some of them bad enough to keep an athlete out of a competition. Even Michael Jordan had a an undisclosed dental issue that could have kept him out of the 1984 games when he was Team USA’s top scorer.

But why do the mouths of these otherwise models of perfect health tend to suffer? According to Piccininni, training is a big issue. Everything an athlete does to train for an elite competition like the olympics seems to be hard on teeth, from frequent eating to dehydration and teeth grinding. Drinking acidic and sugary sports drinks and energy gels add to the problem, as does the stress of competition and neglect as a result of travel.

In some athletes’ cases, access to care and financial resources are the issue. Medical treatment at the Olympics is free for athletes, so some will put off going to a dentist until they know their care will be paid for. Still other athletes are too focused on the more competitive parts of their bodies to bother with their teeth.

Like the rest of us, it seems that most of these athletes start taking better care of their teeth in the end. This may come as a result of a missed competition, an unexpected procedure, or even a decrease in performance.

A healthy mouth is important for all of us, including athletes. A straight, attractive smile is also essential for some of us. After appearing in so many TV shows, movies, and commercials, even Michael Jordan sees the benefit of taking care of his teeth now.

Contact Dr. Frost in Creve Coeur, MO if you’re thinking about braces or Invisalign. After you see how easy the process has become, you will want to make the investment in yourself. Simply fill out our online form or give us a call at 314-567-1888.

Most Americans are concerned about their appearance, which includes their smile. For some, appearances are not only important—it can mean the difference in their paycheck. Those in sales and even some professionals know how far an impressive appearance will go for both their confidence and other people’s confidence in them.

Your face and your smile are often two of the first things others will see when meeting you, so that’s a great place to make the right first impression. And while people are attracted to a great smile, having one also does wonders for your confidence.

In fact, a recent study from the University of Manchester in Britain showed that subjects with poor or missing teeth had dramatically lower self-confidence. These subjects are conscious about their teeth and often avoid smiling, which affects their own mood as well as the impressions of others. Some studies have suggested that the act of smiling alone can improve one’s mood and that seeing others smile indicates that they are intelligent and trustworthy.

Professionals and businesspeople know this is the case, which is why many spend more time on their teeth. From good daily hygiene to investing in braces or Invisalign, working towards a great looking smile is good for their health and their careers.

If you think you don’t have the time for braces or even Invisalign, you will be surprised at how quickly and easily you can get fitted. Plus, Invisalign is invisible while you’re using it, so your smile will look progressively better during the treatment without having to see braces in the mirror.

For a free consultation for braces or Invisalign, call Dr. Andy Frost at (314) 567-1888. Dr. Frost has years of experience as an orthodontist in the Creve Coeur and St. Louis area, where he has exceeded the expectations of hundreds of patients.