Even before the season has started, footballer Ravel Morrison finds himself in the spotlight as he is sent home from West Ham’s pre-season tour to get his teeth sorted out. The 19-year-old started to complain about toothache when the club was in Germany training a few weeks ago; officials were talking about fining the player for not turning up to practice when the extent of the problem was revealed and travel immediately arranged. Morrison was flown back to England straight away and a dentist told him that at least seven of his teeth would have to come out because they were in such bad shape.
The footballer has joined Championship side Birmingham on loan because he failed to make a real impact during his stay at Upton Park – where he moved to after leaving Manchester United. Treatment with dental implants has been suggested to permanently replace the decayed teeth, which would cost Morrison close to £30,000; at the moment he is wearing temporary moulds until the implants are ready for insertion. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth because they also encourage bone growth in the jaw and can last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Staff at West Ham were shocked by the condition of Morrison’s teeth but it is the latest in a long line of dramas surrounding the young player, including a refusal to drink anything but ‘West Ham bottled water’ while the team were staying in Germany.