The European Association for Sports Dentistry (EA4SD) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) are strongly committed to the development of sports dentistry and its integration into sports medicine by shaping policies at international levels regarding the development, research, and education of sports dentistry. The European College of Sports and Exercise Physicians (ECOSEP) promotes the highest standards in sports medicine, by supporting public health and implementing prevention and therapy of sports-related
ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to record the oral health of professional football players of 3 different football teams and reveal its relation with their overall health and performance.MethodsThree (3) different football teams players were examined during the period 2012–2016. The examination of their oral health was recorded on the European Association for Sports Dentistry official Dental Examination Protocol, which includes a personal questionnaire and record of DMFT index (Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth), PI index (Quinley & Hein plague index), GI index (Loe & Silness gingival index), PPD index (Periodontal Pocket Depth index), DMET index (Decayed-Missing-Extraction needed Teeth) and oral cavity soft tissues examination (palate, tongue)ResultsThe players present DMFT score 5,7, PI score 1,6, GI score 1,3, PPD score 3,1, DMET score 2,9. Overall, according the results, the players can be divided into 3 separate groups: 1) a 30% healthy group, 2) a 40% group which needs immediate dental treatment, 3) a 30% group of dental emergencies which represents a high risk of systemic disease, thus risk of their overall health and performance. The high incidence of dental caries and periodontitis in young individuals (age 17–35) constitute an alerting condition which is disproportionate to their young age. In addition, dental occlusion and TMJ (Temporo Mandibular Joint) pathologies recorded influence the body’s muscle system function, the posture and the plantar arch. Their diet, rich in carbohydrates and proteins decreases the oral cavity pH in a range much lower than the physiologic 5,5 and increases the incidence of teeth erosion and abrasion.ConclusionElite and professional football players, despite the constant and regular medical treatments and follow-ups, present a high incidence of caries and periodontal disease. The vast majority of them is not informed about their oral health, does not consult a dentist, does not proceed with dental treatments. Oral pathological conditions which is mostly of a chronic character, influence directly the overall health, outcome of myoskeletal injury treatments and the performance of the players. Oral health is directly influencing the overall health of athletes.ReferencesGay–Escoba C, Vieira-Duarte-Pereira DM, Ardevol J, et al. Study of the effect of oral health on physical condition of professional soccer players of the Football Club Barcelona. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2011;16:E436–9.Needleman I, Ashley P, Fine P, et al. Oral health and elite sport performance. Br J Sports Med 2015;49:3–6.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.