In the case of athletes undergoing physical performance programs, conditions become more important for wear experienced by the musculoskeletal system in training or sports games.

One of the possible causes of lower physical performance by athletes may be due to inflammatory processes in muscles and joints that are caused by the occurrence of infections in the mouth. Infectious processes, whether dental or periodontal origin, can slow the contraction-relaxation of the muscle and cause a loss of tone and feeling of fatigue strain on the athlete.

Improper mastication causes aches

An estimated 30% of sore neck and back muscle due to an incorrect chewing, especially caused by cross bite.

According to Dr. White Longás Dentistry, Health and Quality Manager and member of Sanitas Dental Care Management, dental malpositions and absence of teeth chewing difficult undermining the effectiveness nutritious foods can not normally crush, which in turn alter the functioning of the digestive system to do more spending power with slower digestion and thus decreases the energy to the athlete at a disadvantage in competitive sport.

Dental Injuries in extreme sports

The practice of sports such as rugby, martial arts, boxing, handball, skiing, surfing and volleyball, among other disciplines, which are considered by the American Dental Association (ADA) and extreme sports can promote tooth breakage by strong impact in training or competitions.

As noted by Dr. Longás, after a blow may be affected TMJ, microtrauma to the jaws appear even mandibular fracture and / or jaw, head injury or concussion. It is also common for such impacts on extreme sports cause breakage and bleeding lips.

To prevent this type of injury interrupted the sport of athletes, experts recommend the use of mouth guards that cover individual teeth and gingiva, protecting the entire dentition.

Habits and power in athletes

To maintain good oral health is recommended that athletes do not abuse your diet of carbohydrates, as they are the energy substrate of bacterial plaque microorganisms. The frequent meals to increase energy intake and help stabilize blood glucose elite athletes can be caries risk factor.

Periodic oral revisions by the athletes in the preseason and throughout the racing season are essential to prevent dental ailments. Dr. White Longás recommended to go to a review performed oral at least twice a year. The tooth brushing and flossing after every meal, especially at night, when the pH decreases the mouth, are some of the health habits that help reduce the risk of cavities.


Photo By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Kyle L. O'Neill. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons