Study: Athletes have Increased Oral Health Risk

Are you, or is someone you love, a serious athlete or committed to working out? If so, according to a recent study from University College London, it’s especially important to stay on top of your dental health.

The UCL Eastman Dental Institute research team surveyed 352 Olympic and professional athletes across 11 sports, including cycling, swimming, rugby, football, rowing, hockey, sailing and athletics, when they provided dental check-ups for male and female athletes measuring tooth decay, gum health and acid erosion.

The dental check-ups revealed substantial amounts of oral disease as reported in a 2018 paper, finding that nearly half (49.1%) had untreated tooth decay, the large majority showed early signs of gum inflammation, and almost a third (32%) reported that their oral health had a negative impact on their training and performance.

The researchers also asked athletes what they did to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Elite athletes have poor oral health despite their efforts to care for their teeth: this new study found that 94% reported brushing their teeth at least twice a day, and 44% reported regularly cleaning between their teeth (flossing) -- substantially higher figures than for the general population (75% for twice-daily brushing and 21% for flossing).

Despite the good health habits, and the fact that they didn’t smoke and had a healthy general diet, researchers found that the athletes regularly use sports drinks (87%), energy bars (59%) and energy gels (70%), which are known to damage teeth. The sugar in these products increases the risk of tooth decay and the acidity of them increases the risk of erosion.

The study builds on research carried out by UCL since the London 2012 Olympics. Previous findings have suggested that elite athletes may also face an elevated risk of oral disease from a dry mouth during intensive training—a situation that exacerbates the environment in which bad bacteria thrive.

Encouragingly, the surveyed athletes said they would consider adopting even better oral hygiene habits to tackle this and an intervention study has already been piloted.

What would behaviors I suggest for a serious athlete?

Get Your Teeth Cleaned Every 3 Months: I regularly recommend more frequent cleanings for patients with gum disease, or those who are prone to cavities. This keeps their oral environment in the best state, within reason, and lets us know what we should watch, or what we can prevent from happening.

Choose Beverages and Supplements that are Low in Sugar and Acid: Many supplements are rich in sugar and acid, which promote bacterial growth and tooth erosion. Be careful which ones you select. And if you need the sugar, use a straw to bypass your teeth as much as possible, and rinse with water.

Use a Flouride Rinse: Adding a fluoride rinse to your routine will help remineralize your tooth surfaces and help to protect you against cavities.

Use a Mouth-guard: Any sports in which there can be physical contact require a mouth-guard, which should be custom-fitted to you by the dentist, for your best protection.

If you or your loved one is an athlete or serious about working out, schedule an appointment with Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD at her West Hartford Center Office or her New Britain, CT Office by contacting the office online, or calling 860-561-2121.

Keep smiling,

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121

5 Questions to Ask at Your Child's Back-to-School Dental Exam

School is about to start again!  

Some schools require a back-to-school dental exam. Even if your child's school does not, it’s a very good time of year to schedule one of your child’s regular visits. “We can help spot and take care of any issues so your child doesn’t have to miss class once school starts,” says leading family and cosmetic dentist Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD, with offices in West Hartford Center and New Britain, CT. “It’s also a great time to help get back on track if some of your child’s dental habits fell away during summer, when normal routines can go out the window and there are a lot more treats around.”

Here are a few questions to ask at your child’s appointment:

How Is My Child’s Overall Dental Health?

The dentist will be looking at the big picture of your child’s mouth, including teeth and gums. “We will check to make sure teeth are lining up correctly, your child’s bite is in good shape and to keep an eye out for any [orthodontic] issues that may show up later,” Dr. Basil says. “We’re also making sure baby teeth are going to the Tooth Fairy like they should.”

Will My Child Get a Cleaning Today?

This is a must, no matter how well your child brushes. “Even if your child—or you, for that matter—brushes twice a day, it’s not possible to get rid of all the bacteria that can lead to cavities,” Dr. Basil says. “And on the other hand, you may have a child who goes off to camp and never opens their toothbrush.” That’s why a professional cleaning goes a long way. “It removes more of the cavity-causing bacteria and helps to keep gum tissue healthy,” she says. “It can also remove most or many stains from teeth.”

Does My Child Need an X-Ray?

X-rays help your dentist see how your child’s teeth are developing and make sure the tooth roots are healthy. They also are used to see if there is any tooth decay between your child’s teeth. “The decay process can move very, very fast, so the earlier we can catch it, the better,” Dr. Basil says. Your child won’t need an x-ray at every visit. “We do them only when necessary, plus we always use low radiation digital radiography,” she says.

Can You Check My Child’s Mouth Guard?

If your child plays sports year-round, make sure you bring his or her mouth guard along so your dentist can check for wear, tear and fit. “If your child is having a growth spurt, losing teeth and getting new ones, the mouth guard might need to be redone,” she says.

What Are Sealants?

Sealants can be another way to keep your child from getting cavities, but they’re no substitute for brushing and flossing. A sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that your dentist can place on the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent back teeth (called molars). Once they’re on, sealants work to keep cavity-causing bacteria and bits of food from settling into the nooks and crannies your child’s toothbrush can’t reach. This helps keep cavities from forming and tiny existing spots of decay from getting worse.

In fact, having sealants on your permanent molars reduces the risk of cavities by 80%. It’s best to get sealants as soon as your child’s permanent molars come through their gums (usually at age 6, then again at age 12). “It doesn’t hurt to put on or apply a sealant,” Dr. Basil says. “When permanent molars start coming in, parents should ask if sealants are recommended.” Most last for years, and your child’s dentist will make sure they’re holding strong at every regular visit.

Schedule an appointment for your child (or yourself) today, either in our West Hartford Center dental office or New Britain dental office, and we’ll help your kids, and educate them, too.  We can be reached at 860-561-2121.

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121