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Why Many Elite Athletes Suffer From Poor Oral Health

  • April 4, 2020
  • 8:08 am
  • Dental
  • Oral Hygiene, Parkcrest Dental Group

Marathoners running in a race

Elite athletes are almost always in incredible shape. But a recent study has found that, statistically, they may be more susceptible to tooth disease and decay than the general populace. Learn why with the expert team from Parkcrest Dental Group.

It’s Not Their Oral Habits

The UCL Eastman Dental Institute research team surveyed 352 Olympic and professional athletes across 11 different professional sports. They asked for dental checkup results that measured tooth decay, gum health, and acid erosion. They also asked the athletes about their oral hygiene habits. 

What they found was surprising. Nearly half of the participants exhibited untreated tooth decay, a large majority showed early signs of gum disease, and nearly a third reported that their oral health had a negative impact on their athletic performance. 

These results corroborated what an earlier 2018 study found: elite athletes tend to have poor oral health compared to the general populace. But why is that? It actually isn’t their oral hygiene habits. 94.2% said they brush twice daily, and 46% said their most recent dental visit was within six months. These fall in line with the recommended hygiene habits that dentists recommend. 

It Could Be What They Consume

What may be surprising is that the state of their oral health was likely caused by their diet. You would think elite athletes would be eating healthy foods to better fuel their performance. While that may be true to some extent, nearly one-third of the athletes reported they consumed a high amount of sugar in their diet. Worst of all, 59% used energy bars, 70% used energy gels, and 87% regularly drank sports drinks.

These drinks and snacks are incredibly high in sugar. Most athletes consume them while they are playing or performing. As a result, the sugars and acids sit on their teeth for long periods of time before the athlete gets to brush.

Related Post: How to Break Your Family’s Sugar Habit

Obviously, the results of this study are not conclusive as it is a relatively small sample size. But it goes to show how even people who take incredible care of their bodies put their oral health at risk when they consume large amounts of sugar. For those of us who aren’t athletes and aren’t eating as healthy as we should be, this is a good lesson to take. Consuming large amounts of sugar can put your teeth at serious risk of decay, cavities, and gum disease. 

Related Post: Best Organic Foods For Teeth in Springfield, MO

Schedule an Appointment at Parkcrest Dental Group

If you are worried that your teeth aren’t quite as healthy as they could be, consider scheduling an appointment at Parkcrest Dental Group. Our expert dentists and hygienists are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. You can be sure you are in good hands when you visit our dental office. To schedule an appointment, give our team a call at 1-417-887-1220.

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Meet Some of Our Doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group!

Some of the doctors at Parkcrest Dental Group

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top center) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (top right) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (bottom left) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom center) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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