{"id":2456,"date":"2026-02-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/actualitat\/why-do-elite-athletes-have-more-dental-problems\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:26:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:26:31","slug":"why-do-elite-athletes-have-more-dental-problems","status":"publish","type":"actualitat","link":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/news\/why-do-elite-athletes-have-more-dental-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do elite athletes have more dental problems?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do elite athletes have more dental problems?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Performance, physical demand, and oral health: a relationship you might not imagine. When we think of elite athletes, we imagine strong bodies, absolute discipline, and a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why it is surprising to learn that almost 70% of professional athletes suffer from some type of periodontal disease, and a large proportion present with cavities, sensitivity, or dental erosion.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But why does this happen to people who are apparently the perfect example of health?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer lies in a combination of habits, physiology, and the specific demands of professional sports.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mouth under stress (just like the body). During intense physical activity, the athlete enters a state of hyperventilation that forces them to breathe primarily through the mouth.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This causes dry mouth, a decrease in saliva and, consequently, the loss of the natural protection that prevents the proliferation of bacteria.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saliva is essential for neutralizing acids, remineralizing enamel, and maintaining the balance of the oral microbiota.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it is lacking, the risk of cavities, gingivitis, and sensitivity increases.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, muscle tension during competition can lead to bruxism, nocturnal pressure, or accelerated dental wear.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contact sports, the possibility of dental trauma adds yet another risk factor.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do energy products have an influence?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Significantly.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The isotonic drinks, energy gels, and bars consumed by athletes often contain high amounts of sugar and acids.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This creates an ideal environment for cariogenic bacteria to proliferate.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The acidic pH of these products can erode enamel if consumed repeatedly, especially when the mouth is dry.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More sensitive teeth, a higher probability of cavities, and accelerated wear.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More oral health problems&#8230; and a higher risk of injury. The relationship between oral health and sports performance is closer than it might seem.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oral infections can increase the risk of muscle and joint injuries due to the increase in inflammatory markers in the blood.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words: an inflamed mouth can affect an athlete&#8217;s physical performance, recovery, and endurance.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, many athletes live with oral health problems because, by focusing on training, they relegate dental check-ups and prevention to the background.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can athletes do to take care of their mouths?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is that most of these problems are preventable.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main recommendations are:<br\/><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maintain strict oral hygiene: brushing twice a day and flossing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use remineralizing toothpastes and mouthwashes with fluoride or those formulated for athletes, especially when consuming acidic or energy products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drink water frequently to stimulate salivation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Avoid the continuous consumption of isotonic drinks outside of training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a mouthguard in contact or impact sports.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li> Have regular check-ups with the dentist, especially during stages of intense training.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, a healthy mouth is not just an aesthetic matter: it is a determining factor in the performance, recovery, and quality of life of any athlete.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2457,"template":"","categoria":[34],"class_list":["post-2456","actualitat","type-actualitat","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categoria-patologies"],"acf":[],"meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualitat\/2456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualitat"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/actualitat"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categoria","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccervera.knut-studio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categoria?post=2456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}