Why do some athletes suffer from tooth decay?

Elite athletes suffer from dental problems and a deterioration of oral health in general, although their dental care is superior to that of others, according to a study.

The study, conducted by researchers from University College London (UCL), surveyed 352 British athletes of the highest level of competitiveness, including athletes who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics. in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The study found that the probability that athletes use a toothbrush twice a day is much greater than others, as is flossing between teeth, but they still have problems.

Researchers said athletes need to do more to take care of their teeth, for example by using fluoride-rich toothpastes.

Several previous studies have shown that many athletes, footballers at the London 2012 Olympic Games, have oral health problems.

The proportion of tooth decay among elite athletes in Britain was 50%, compared to 30% in the same age group as non-athletes.

The study, published in the British Journal of Dentistry, was trying to understand why.

Academics interviewed athletes from 11 different sports, including cycling, swimming, kayaking, hockey, sailing and athletics, as well as rugby and football.

The results showed that:

• 94% of athletes use toothbrushes twice a day, compared to 75% of the general population.

• 44% of athletes regularly floss against 21% of the general population.

The smoking and healthy eating situation for athletes is much better than for others.

But according to Dr. Julie Gallagher, of the UCL team of researchers, athletes frequently eat sports drinks, energy jelly and special energy-rich chocolate bars during training and competitions.

"The sugar contained in these products increases the risk of cavities, and the resulting acidity increases the risk of dental erosion."

"This can contribute to the high levels of tooth decay and corrosion that we see when we perform dental examinations," Gallagher said.

Gallagher says:

• 78% of athletes drink sports drinks

• 59% of athletes eat energy-rich chocolate bars

• 70% of athletes use energy gel

Another explanation is the dryness of the mouth due to the intensity of breathing during exercise, thus reducing the protection provided by saliva from the mouth.

There are signs that the oral health of mediocre athletes can affect their performance for reasons such as the tendency of some athletes to reduce their training time.

Since small differences in competitions make victory or defeat in the world of elite athletes, minor improvements can make a decisive difference.

As a result, athletes may need additional support for their teeth, including the use of fluoride-enriched toothpastes.

"Athletes have shown a willingness to change their behavior to improve their oral health, including using more fluoride-rich mouthwash, frequent visits to the dentist and reducing their consumption of sports drinks." said Dr. Gallagher.

Experimental studies have already been conducted to test the previous proposals, but their results have not yet appeared.