According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of U.S. adults have had at least one cavity. To combat this trend, dentists recommend brushing teeth twice daily for two minutes, along with regular flossing. However, despite following these guidelines, elite athletes seem to have elevated rates of oral disease. A research team at University College London (UCL) Eastman Dental Institute sought to further investigate the oral health of athletes across 11 sports.
Dr. Julie Gallagher and her UCL research team studied 352 Olympic and professional athletes in sports such as cycling, swimming, rowing, and hockey. They collected data measuring the prevalence of tooth decay, gum health, and acid erosion. An indicator of poor oral health is that 49% of the athletes suffered from tooth decay, and 32% of athletes admitted that oral health negatively affected their on-field performance. However, despite these statistics, 94% of these elite athletes say that they brushed their teeth twice daily, and 44% say that they flossed regularly. Of note, both these percentages are higher than the general population: 75% and 21%, respectively.
Image Source: Thomas Barwick
Dr. Gallagher attributed the unexpected results to the fact that these athletes are consuming sports drinks, energy bars, and energy gels that damage their teeth. Popular sports products include Gatorade or Powerade drinks as well as Clif or Luna bars. Although the athletes brush and floss regularly, the sugar in these sports products seemed to cause tooth decay, and the increased acidity lead to tooth erosion. For reference, a 12-ounce Coca-Cola can has 39 grams of sugar, which has more sugar than a 20-ounce Gatorade drink with 34 grams. The sugar and acid from these products contribute to calcium leaching from the teeth’s enamel and break down this protective layer. Given these results, the surveyed athletes made a commitment to improving their oral hygiene. Some changes in behavior include increased dental checkups, reduced sports product intake, and additional use of anti-cavity fluoride from toothpaste and mouthwash.
Brushing teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash are important ways to maintain oral health. However, following these habits alone does not guarantee protection from tooth decay or cavities. It also depends on the types of food one consumes, as the athletes in Dr. Gallagher’s survey discovered. Regardless of being an average American or an elite athlete, it’s important to consider diet to achieve pearly whites.
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