Differences in Oral Health Status in Elite Athletes According to Sport Modalities

Abstract

Oral health status may affect physical and sports performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status and oral health habits of elite athletes according to the performed sports type. A sample of 186 elite athletes divided into individual sports (n = 74; 53 men and 21 women; 24.9 ± 9.3 years) and team sports (n = 112; 97 men and 15 women; 24.5 ± 4.8 years) participated in the study. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT), the oral health impact profile (OHIP), and the diet assessment of caries risk (DACR) were evaluated to assess their oral health status. Athletes in individual modalities had a lower number in total teeth, healthy teeth, and restoration index (p < 0.05). Furthermore, this group showed a greater number of missing (p < 0.001) and decayed teeth (p < 0.05) and a greater DMFT index (p < 0.001). A relationship between sports modality and prevalence of malocclusions (p < 0.01), periodontal plaque (p < 0.05), and the habit of consuming energy drinks (p < 0.05) was also highlighted. Elite athletes who compete in individual sports presented a worse oral situation.

Biomechanical Behavior Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Occlusal Splint-Mouthguard for Contact Sports: 3D-FEA

“…Usually, the most common reasons for not wearing a mouthguard are discomfort and difficulty with breathing, talking, and swallowing, during an activity [ 24 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Similar to the previous reports [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], this study reiterated the need to disseminate knowledge about craniofacial injuries and the benefits of using a mouthguard during a contact sport activity.…”

“…In addition to trauma prevention, dental health in general may play a relevant role in the performance of athletes, affecting how athletes maintain their training and competition routines, without suffering impediments due to the occurrence of dental discomforts [ 9 ]. For this reason, the dental status assessments should be highly recommended in the medical follow-up of the athlete.…”

“…For this reason, the dental status assessments should be highly recommended in the medical follow-up of the athlete. It is important to note that craniomandibular disorders are frequent among athletes due to the habit of bruxism, usually induced by stress during competition or training, which affects the temporomandibular joint and teeth, resulting in head, neck, and back muscle pain [ 9 ]. The amount of training hours and the number of years involved in athletics is strongly correlated with the occurrence of dental injury [ 10 ].…”

“…The amount of training hours and the number of years involved in athletics is strongly correlated with the occurrence of dental injury [ 10 ]. Furthermore, it is necessary that coaches, sports clubs, and federations understand the importance of promoting oral health preventive programs among athletes [ 9 ].…”

Study of the association of gene polymorphism associated with sports success and risk of occupational diseases in young football players

“…Результатом несприятливого впливу надмірного фізичного навантаження у спортсменів є так званий синдром перетренованості через зниження імунологі-чної реактивності та адаптаційних можливостей організму, що супроводжується частими порушеннями у функціональному стані нервової, ендокринної та серцевосудинної систем, призводить до виникнення різних видів загальносоматичної патології, в тому числі до виникнення різних стоматологічних порушень [19,4]. Погане здоров'я органів і тканин ротової порожнини може знизити якість життя та викликати системну запальну реакцію, а також вплинути на спортивні результати [8,14].…”