Oral health and performance impacts in elite and professional athletes

Abstract

This is the first large representative sample study of oral health in athletes from different sports at elite level. Although experience of oral disease differs by sport, the prevalence, in UK elite and professional athletes, is substantial, with common self-reported performance impacts. Regular screening and use of effective oral health promotion strategies may minimize performance impacts from poor oral health.

Nutrition for Special Populations: Young, Female, and Masters Athletes

“…Finally, given the fact that even younger (18-39 years) elite and professional athletes have dental issues (i.e., pain in 30%) that can affect performance (Gallagher et al, 2018), it is likely that such issues are even more prevalent in older athletes. Given concerns about enamel loss and the potential for thermal sensitivity and/or caries in those who regularly consume sport drinks (Venables et al, 2005), it is imperative that masters athletes engage in regular dental care.…”

Moving the body to improve oral health

“…5 There is also the infographic which includes data stating: 'Oral health is poor (dental caries, dental erosion and periodontal diseases are common) in elite athletes and is consistently associated with selfreported performance impacts as shown across studies involving more than 800 athletes' . 1,4 Why should we be concerned? At the elite level of sport the difference between success and coming second can often be a fraction of a second, a few millimetres or being able to keep going during endurance events.…”

“…This provides robust evidence of the prevalence of oral health diseases and associated performance impacts in elite athletes. 4 Although experience of oral disease differs by sport, the prevalence, in UK elite and professional athletes, is substantial, with common self-reported performance impacts. Despite reporting positive oral health-related behaviours when screening is undertaken, athletes have…”

Determination of the Oral and Dental Health Profile in Athletes Prepared to the Olympics by Gender in Turkey

“…31 ve %67'si erkek 352 sporcuda yapılan bir çalışmada, sporcuların %49,1'inde çürük diş tespit edilmiştir. 32 2012 Londra Olimpiyat Oyunları sırasında diş kliniğine başvuran elit sporcularda yapılan kesitsel çalışmada, 302 sporcuda %55 oranında diş çürüğü ve %76 oranında gingivitis ve %15 oranında periodontitis olduğu bildirilmiştir. [33][34][35][36][37][38] Bu çalışma ile elit sporcuların da ağız sağlığının kötü olabileceği ortaya konmuştur.…”

“…39 Farklı spor branşlarından 352 sporcuda yapılan başka bir çalışmada, sporcuların periodontal hastalık değerleri yüksek bulunmuştur; sporcuların %77,4'ünde diş eti kanaması, %77'sinde 1-2 mm, %21,6'sında da 3-4 mm periodontal ceb derinliği tespit edilmiştir. 32 Çalışmamızda %19,1 oranında periodontal hastalık tespit edilmiştir.…”