Athletes protect their teeth by wearing a custom-fit mouth guard, choosing water or sugar-free sports drinks, and keeping regular dental check-ups.
The athletic feats during the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo inspired viewers around the world. The health of your teeth can affect sports performance and athletic endurance. Athletes participating in competitive sports are exposed to certain factors that make them susceptible to dental issues along the road to success.
Common Dental Health Challenges in Sports
Striving for peak athletic performance comes with potentially negative effects on dental health through sports physiology. It's a common issue in sports medicine. Tooth decay and gum disease may have a respective prevalence in a significant number of competitive athletes.
Impact of Dental Health on Athletic Training and Performance
The inflammation that characterizes gum disease is connected to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, but there is also evidence it can have a direct bearing on VO2 max (maximum oxygen uptake during exercise), which relates to cardiorespiratory fitness and athletic endurance. Any systemic health problem can negatively impact sports performance and athletic wellbeing. Tooth decay and gum disease in athletes can be caused by the following:
- Dry mouth. Xerostomia (also known as dry mouth) can develop due to increased levels of mouth breathing during physical conditioning, mental stress, and dehydration due to sweating.
- Dental erosion. Sports nutrition diets that include sugary sports drinks or energy bars increase the risk of cavities, gum disease, and erosion of tooth enamel. Competitive swimmers, for example, are at greater risk for dental erosion because of the acidity present in chlorinated pools.
- Trauma. Contact sports such as football, martial arts, and boxing carry the risk of dental injuries from high impact to the face without adequate dental trauma prevention and oral protection.
Winning Ways for Dental Health Management
Although athletes in endurance sports are exposed to conditions that leave them vulnerable to dental issues, there are ways to mitigate risk through proper sports dentistry practices. Here are a few tips that can help athletes protect their teeth and achieve maximum athletic performance.
- Standard rules apply. A study published in the June 2020 issue of BMJ Open Sports & Exercise Medicine found elite athletes who improved their oral hygiene habits showed improvement in their sports performance metrics. Professional and amateur athletes who brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush can head off cavities, gum disease, and enamel wear before they begin. Daily flossing to effectively clean between teeth is also recommended as part of athletic healthcare.
- Fuel like a champion. Maintaining a balanced athletic training diet during intense physical conditioning is critical. Staying hydrated through proper sports hydration also keeps salivary flow going, this helps neutralize acids in the mouth that can contribute to tooth decay. Your dental professionals will be able to provide suggestions to make sure your training diet comes with lower risks to your dental health.
- Prevent injury through proper impact protection. Think of a custom mouth guard as a shock absorber for dental trauma prevention. It cushions impacts to the face and helps protect the teeth, jaw, tongue, lips, and cheeks. Mouth guards are available as an over-the-counter solution, but a custom-fit guard designed specifically for the anatomy of your mouth offers protection for your teeth while participating in all competitive sports. Schedule an appointment for custom mouth guard fitting at Lewis Estates Dental Centre to determine the right fit.
- Build a winning combination for dental health management. Your dentist is part of your athletic training team and regular visits are important to prevent dental emergency issues. Professional dental cleanings and check-ups are part of a good self-care routine for athletes.
A healthy mouth promotes a healthy body and the team of dental professionals at Lewis Estates Dental Centre is ready to help. Taking care of your oral health helps keep you in top athletic form, so you can achieve a podium finish.
Lewis Estates Dental Centre is at 2556 Guardian Road NW in West Edmonton, in The Grange Shopping Centre north of Safeway.