An MMA Fighter's Guide To Staying Pretty For The Camera
Mixed martial arts can be a brutal sport, but that doesn't mean your face should look like it's been smashed in with a baseball bat. If you want to get lucrative sponsorship, tv commentating gigs, or possibly even television or movie roles, you need to stay pretty. The idea that a beat up mug means you're a great fighter is an old fashioned concept that no longer applies. Think of some of the great MMA fighters, from George St. Pierre and Gina Carano, to Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, Rhonda Rousey, and Miesha Tate, and you will see that they have taken care of their face. You don't see big cauliflower ears or broken teeth. And it's no wonder that they have a high media profile outside of the ring. So, here are some things you need to do in order to, in the words of the wise Muhammad Ali, stay pretty.
Cauliflower Ears: Early Action Is Important
Boxers, wrestlers, and MMA fighters will get cauliflower ears because scar tissue forms when they are hit in the ear. This trauma causes blood to collect in the ear, fibrous scar tissue to form, and eventually, a large and unsightly "cauliflower" deformation. It's not actually something that is dangerous, but it is unsightly. The main problem is that if you don't treat the issue very soon, you will need to get serious cosmetic surgery. That's why it is so important to have your ears drained if you get hit. So, don't wait after a match to have a doctor drain the fluid from your ear.
Cosmetic Dentist: Veneers and Implants
Some real hardcore fighters from back in the day took pride in missing teeth, but that's not the norm. If you've gotten punched or kicked in the face and have a chipped or knocked out tooth, you need to deal with it. It's an issue that you should not delay fixing. A minor chipped tooth might not be a big issue from a cosmetic standpoint, but you risk further damage to the tooth the longer it is exposed. The chip might have weekend the entire tooth, leading to a potential fracture that could expose dentin. This might end up leading to serious damage that would require extensive correction, including a root canal. A simple veneer can solve that issue. It will protect your tooth so that you don't end up causing even more damage when you are eating popcorn or something else. Contact a dental practice, such as Northwest Dental Services and Implant Center, for more information.
If you are missing a tooth, you might want to consider an implant. These are much more secure than a bridge because they are attached via a titanium screw into the jawbone. If you are dealing in a combat sport, then you need to speak with your dentist and determine if an implant would be a better choice.