Oral health and elite sport performance

Abstract

While the research base is limited, studies have consistently reported poor oral health in elite athletes since the first report from the 1968 Olympic Games. The finding is consistent both across selected samples attending dental clinics at major competitions and more representative sampling of teams and has led to calls from the International Olympic Committee for more accurate data on oral health. Poor oral health is an important issue directly as it can cause pain, negative effects on appearance and psychosocial effects on confidence and quality of life and may have long-term consequences for treatment burden. Self-reported evidence also suggests an impact on training and performance of athletes. There are many potential challenges to the oral health of athletes including nutritional, oral dehydration, exercise-induced immune suppression, lack of awareness, negative health behaviours and lack of prioritisation. However, in theory, oral diseases are preventable by simple interventions with good evidence of efficacy. The consensus statement aims to raise awareness of the issues of oral health in elite sport and recommends strategies for prevention and health promotion in addition to future research strategies.

Multidisciplinary Analysis of Differences Between Finisher and Non-finisher Ultra-Endurance Mountain Athletes

“…Other studies analyzed the role of the number of training sessions (Zaryski and Smith, 2005), the effect of chronological age (Clemente- Suarez and Nikolaidis, 2017), the contribution of different biomechanical and morphological factors (Hoffman and Fogard, 2011) as well as emotional and personality constructs (Lane and Wilson, 2011), as key performance parameters for ultra-endurance events. Latest studies observed greater performance in ultra-endurance sport events with an appropriated hydration and optimal nutritional status (Peters, 2003;Costa et al, 2014), oral health status and periodontal disease (Needleman et al, 2013(Needleman et al, , 2015Ashley et al, 2015;Frese et al, 2015), higher training intensity and volume (Knechtle et al, 2012), higher pain tolerance (Schutz et al, 2012;Freund et al, 2013) and stress management (Baker et al, 2005;O'Neil and Steyn, 2007). Moreover, a previous study analyzed specific psychological parameters such as the vital commitment, coping with anxiety, self-perception, stress perception and psychological flexibility showing their relationship with athletic performance (Hughes et al, 2003).…”

The Olympic legacy: Journal metrics in sports medicine and dentistry

“…While the literature is limited, the relatively poor oral hygiene of elite athletes is often reported. [1617]…”

“…[22] This is particularly important among elite athletes where the differences between top competitors are so marginal; these subtle aspects affecting training and performance are key to success. [1722]…”

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

“…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. 33,38 1968 Olimpiyat Oyunları'ndan bugüne kadar elit sporcular üzerinde yapılan çalışmaların sonuçlarından hazırlanan bir konsensüs sonucunda, elit sporcuların ağız-diş sağlığının kötü olduğu, elit sporcularda görülen çürük oranının %15-75, orta ile şiddetli düzeyde periodontal hastalık oranının %15 olduğu bildirilmiştir.…”

“…33,38 1968 Olimpiyat Oyunları'ndan bugüne kadar elit sporcular üzerinde yapılan çalışmaların sonuçlarından hazırlanan bir konsensüs sonucunda, elit sporcuların ağız-diş sağlığının kötü olduğu, elit sporcularda görülen çürük oranının %15-75, orta ile şiddetli düzeyde periodontal hastalık oranının %15 olduğu bildirilmiştir. 33 Çalışmamız sonucunda ise kadın ve erkek sporcuların çürük diş, eksik diş ve dolgulu diş sayılarının benzer olduğu, diş fırçalama alışkanlıklarının kadın sporcularda erkek sporculara göre daha az sıklıkta olduğu, diş hekimine gitme sıklığının ise kadın sporcularda erkek sporculara göre daha sık olduğu belirlendi. Elde ettiğimiz sonuçlar literatürle örtüşmektedir.…”