It’s hard to enjoy sports if you have dental dilemmas.
Despite many athletes being health-conscious, there is a concerning rate of tooth problems among athletes of all ages.
Let’s consider 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 released 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.
Jefferson City parents cautioned against kids’ energy drink use
We strongly counsel parents not to let their little ones 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 dilemmas 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 in danger 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 child has had a dental exam, we invite you to schedule a check-up and cleaning.
Jefferson City Dental Care is located at 3551 Amazonas Dr in Jefferson City, Missouri. We provide general and cosmetic dental procedures including family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. You can read more about our services at https://www.jeffcitydentalcare.com/meet-the-doctor/.
Contact Jefferson City Dental Care:
573-634-2400
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
3551 Amazonas Dr
Jefferson City, Missouri
65109
