Blog Post

Health Watch: Endurance Athletes and Cavities

Gerald M • May 21, 2019
endurance athletes oral health problems

We all know that certain habits are likely to lead to tooth decay, such as including too much sugar or acid in your diet. Folks who suffer from dry mouth are also prone to cavities. Surprisingly, a new study entitled “Effect of Endurance Training on Dental Erosion, Caries, and Saliva,” published by the Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports , adds another group to the list. The study has found that endurance athletes may be at an increased risk of tooth decay.

The study examined the regular habits of 35 triathletes as well as 35 people who do not include fitness in their regular routine. All the participants provided essential information regarding their oral hygiene, as well as gender, age, height, weight, and weekly training regimens. They were all subject to an oral exam that analyzed their saliva output and pH levels at rest and 15 of the athletes were also analyzed during activity. For those who engaged in swimming, the pH level of the pool water was also taken into consideration.

While at rest, all 70 participants showed a similar pH level and saliva output. However, the triathletes showed decreased salivary flow and a higher risk of dental erosion while they were engaging in physical activity. Furthermore, the study showed that with increased training time, the triathletes were at an increased risk of dental erosion.

The explanation for these results, according to Dr. Cornelia Frese, lead author of the study, is that nutrition products for athletes as well as sports drinks can lower the pH levels of the athletes’ saliva so significantly that dental erosion occurs. To quote Dr. Frese, “With a lowered intra-oral pH, dental erosion and caries can occur. We saw that the weekly training time correlates with caries prevalence. We assume that longer training time is consistent with a higher intake of carbohydrate sports bars, gels, and drinks, and this might cause a higher risk for caries.”

Frese has also found that the physiological changes that occur during exercise contribute to the dental issues experienced by athletes. She explains, “Exercise activates the sympathetic drive and suppresses the parasympathetic innervation of salivary glands. Additionally, athletes breathe through the mouth during hard exercise, and the mouth gets dry. If they consume sports nutrition/drinks at this moment, saliva protection might be diminished.” According to Dr. Frese, athletes need to develop specific dental hygiene practices to protect their teeth, including toothpaste with fluoride. Frese explains, “The fluoride in the toothpaste increases the resistance of tooth hard tissue against caries and erosive challenges.”

If you are an endurance athlete and concerned about the health of your teeth and gums, it may be time to make an appointment with a Columbus, OH dentist. The Sampson Dental Group is currently accepting new patients. For more information about our services, please click here.

Dentist in Westerville OH
05 Dec, 2023
Moving to a new city is hard enough, but if you are moving to an entirely different state altogether, the adjustment period might feel like it will never end. You might love everything about Massachusetts, but completely reconfiguring your life can be daunting, even for things seemingly as small as finding the right dentist. You know you want someone qualified, someone who will provide comprehensive dental services, and someone who will see you as more than just a number. You are likely thinking, “Is there someone close by who has everything I want from my dentist?” Hopefully, you will have an easier time after considering the following points. Experience and Qualifications It is always smart to check out how long a dental professional has been practicing, the number of professional associations they have affiliated themselves with, and, for extra clarification, the university or college your prospect chose for their dental school. In addition to the length of time your potential dentist has been operating, it is also wise to ask how much experience they have with each aspect of dentistry and how long they’ve performed in those various areas. Patient Reviews When choosing a new dentist, especially in an area you have just moved to, it is an absolute necessity that you check online reviews and ratings to get a better understanding of how patients like you feel about the practice and what they have experienced sitting in the chair. You can find out about the level of professionalism and kindness from the staff, how cleaned up the office is, and, perhaps most importantly, whether the office’s priority is simply getting bills paid or making sure their patients receive quality dental care. Offered Services This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but you should be sure the dental professional you choose offers the kind of services you want and need—whether it is just general check-ups and cleanings, children’s dentistry, or something more complicated like restorative dentistry or Invisalign. Since dental care will be a part of our lives until the very end, building strong relationships with patients is important to us at Sampson Dental Group. You may not need a dental implant today, but the future could very well call for one, and, at the very least, the option is available for older family members. We are proud to provide the full scope of dental services for all patients—from seniors to kids to everybody in between. Logistics  We know it can be frustrating to fight traffic anywhere, especially if the dentist you are driving to is out of the way. Fortunately, Sampson Dental Group has three convenient locations in Gahanna, Granville, Powell and Westerville, and you can always make an appointment at a time that’s most convenient for you. We can’t wait to meet you, so fill out or contact form and our office will be in touch with you ASAP.
Sampson Dental
05 Dec, 2023
For many individuals, their next dental appointment may be their first. A far too common thought process is if you are brushing twice daily and flossing, there is simply no need to go to the dentist. That, obviously, is wrong. Regardless of how strict of an oral hygiene regimen you have on your own, bi-yearly dental visits are imperative to ensure good oral health. Now, since it may have been some time since you last visited a dentist or it is your first visit, here are some tips on how to prepare for a visit to the dentist’s office: Learn How to Brush Properly For as long as most of us can remember, we have been brushing our teeth. The question is, though, are you brushing your teeth the right way? Here are the basics in how to brush your teeth properly: · Use soft-bristled brush · After adding toothpaste to the brush, place the brush at the gumline at a 45-degree angle and brush gums before brushing your teeth · When done along the gumline, focus on brushing the front of the teeth before doing the rear · The brush should move vertically across the teeth rather than horizontally (this helps remove plaque from all angles) · Ensure you reach the rear of your mouth to brush the molars (which are often missed, creating the biggest problems for dental visits) Flossing Properly After you have brushed and rinsed, it is time to floss. This will ensure the small food particles left behind and wedged between teeth and under gumlines are removed. Start flossing at the rear bottom, slipping the floss between the teeth and gently moving it upwards. Once the lower level is done, repeat the process on the upper level. For even better results, invest in a water flosser, as they are far more effective than using standard floss. Using Mouthwash The use of a proper mouthwash is just as vital as the first two steps. Today, there are so many varieties and brands, it is virtually impossible not to find something both effective and palatable. You may want to discuss a specific brand with your dentist to ensure you are using a mouthwash most compatible with your needs/concerns. When rinsing, swish a small amount of mouthwash around vigorously for about a minute, then spit out. Looking for a new Westerville OH dentist? Sampson Dental Group is now accepting new patients and we would love for you to become part of our dental family. For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please click here .
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