It’s hard to enjoy sports if you have dental problems.
Despite many athletes being health-conscious, there is a concerning rate of tooth and gum problems among athletes of all ages.
Let’s discuss two alarming studies.
40% of athletes reported oral health problems
A study cited in the British Journal of Sports Medicine explored how poor oral health affects athletic performance at the elite level.
“More than 40% of athletes were bothered by their oral health with 28% reporting an impact on quality of life and 18% on training and performance.”
Higher rates of dental disease even with more frequent brushing
A recent study published in Science Daily found that elite athletes have higher rates of dental disease even though they brush more often. Over 90% of 352 Olympic and professional athletes studied reported dental problems.
Energy drinks and gels may be the problem
In the study, 59% reported using energy bars, 87% reported using energy drinks, and 70% reported using energy gels. These substances are often packed with sugar, acid, and enamel-destroying chemicals.
Cary parents cautioned against kids’ energy drink use
We strongly advise parents not to let their kids drink energy drinks. If your children use energy bars and gels, make sure they rinse their mouth out after use. If the sugar and acids sit on the teeth, it will eventually erode enamel.
Most dental problems are preventable
The dental problems experienced by Olympians and professional athletes are not any different than those found in the general population: tooth decay, dental erosion, periodontal disease, and inflammation around partially erupted wisdom teeth.
Protect against mouth injuries
Athletes are also at risk of mouth injuries suffered while competing or training. Tooth trauma can prevent injured athletes from competing in the short term and cause ongoing complications down the road.
Make sure your child wears a custom mouthguard when participating in sports
If it has been a while since your youngster has had a dental exam, we invite you to schedule a check-up and cleaning.
Cary Family Dental is located at 1149 Kildaire Farm Rd in Cary, North Carolina. We provide general and cosmetic dental procedures including family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. You can read more about our services at https://www.carydental.com/meet-dr-allan-acton/.
Contact Cary Family Dental:
919-371-4428
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1149 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina
27511
