On some occasions we have seen how some professional athlete has had to be low on a large sports event due to oral problems. How is it possible that sport makes us more vulnerable to this type of pathology? In most cases, problems could have been avoided if care had been taken.
We always say it: to practice sport you need to be in good health and have passed a medical examination to be able to perform perfectly. But one thing is theory and another is practice. The mouth is a part of our body to which we do not pay the necessary attention , that is where the root of the problem lies.
Let's not be alarmed, that athletes are more prone to dental injuries, does not mean that it is bad to practice physical activity. In fact, even gathering all the athletes who have problems, they are in numbers far below the average level of the population. What must be taken into account is that the state of your teeth can affect your physical shape and performance .
What are the most common oral problems?
On some occasions, the protection factor is essential if we practice a contact sport (boxing or rugby, for example). But we are faced with a false belief, since more dental injuries occur when athletes wear mouth protectors. Every year, more than 5 million teeth are lost among the entire population, sport being 39% of the causes.
In less risky sports like basketball or soccer, it is where the most teeth are lost, since it is not mandatory to use protectors.
Tooth decay is more likely to appear in people who exercise. It is also accompanied by dental wear caused by dehydration, by ingesting products with high glucose content or by drinking beverages with a low PH. Likewise, the continuous contact of water with chemical substances (swimming or water polo) also influences, since it produces greater aggression and gives a yellowish tone to our teeth.
Bruxism is a problem that affects many people, but athletes fall into this clenching of the jaw when subjected to tense situations. If we do not take it into account and we do it for a long time, it can lead to headaches and muscle pain. Logically, this negatively affects our sports performance.
Any type of injury to the teeth or gums can cause tears, joint pain or tendinitis. The bacteria that harbor our mouth move through the blood, reaching the muscles and joints.
How can they be prevented?
We have already seen how important dentistry is in sports. Of course, all oral problems can be avoided if we monitor our dental health. Experts recommend that we have to go review before starting any sports activity , so that the risks that may come can be identified.
Obviously, the hygienic factor is essential, whether we are athletes or not. In addition, the use of mouth protectors can help us positively, although not required by the regulations of the sport we practice. Also, our diet will be key.
