Top Story: UTSA Football Players Does Strange Ritual As Part Of Season Prep

San Antonio fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season for their beloved football and basketball teams, and the players are preparing with preventive dental checkups.

Earlier last month, football players from the University of Texas at San Antonio received custom mouth guards fitted by dental students and faculty from UT Health San Antonio. During this process, several players were found to need wisdom teeth extractions, highlighting the importance of preventive dental care.

Scott Stafford, associate dean of patient care at the dental school, noted, “If they require wisdom teeth removal during the season, it could disrupt their play.” He explained that players typically cannot participate in contact sports for about a month after surgery due to a void in the bone, making early screenings crucial for team success.

While these dental exams aren’t part of standard athletic physicals, UT Health has made them a regular practice for UTSA football and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs are scheduled for dental screenings at the end of August.

Stafford also serves as the on-call dentist for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. A recent study he referenced revealed that five million teeth are lost each year due to sports-related injuries.

“We focus on educating athletes about proper mouth guard usage, how to protect their teeth, and maintaining oral hygiene,” Stafford said. “While we provide treatment for any injuries, our main priority is preventive care.”