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Endurance Sports and Tooth Decay

Runners and other endurance athletes tend to be in excellent shape... with the exception of their mouths.  Those who participate in endurance sports are more likely to suffer from tooth decay than the rest of the population. 

I previously blogged on the phenomenon studied during the last Olympics, namely the higher instances of tooth decay in Olympic athletes, but recent research has suggested that long distance runners are also at risk but the elevated risk is mainly due to side effects of the sport itself.

Distance runners and other endurance athletes have two aspects working against them in regards to their oral health... sports drinks and dry mouth.

Sports Drinks
Many endurance athletes drink sports drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde help replace electrolytes that are depleted during training.  Those drinks also full of sugar, which is an excellent source of energy for tired muscles but is hard on teeth. 

To make oral health matters worse, the sports drinks also include phosphoric or citric acid which erode tooth enamel.  The combination of acid and sugar greatly increase chances of tooth decay, gingivitis, plaque, and other dental issues.

Dry Mouth
Runners are heavy breathers and have a tendency to breath primarily with their mouth open. The open mouth allows runners to take in more oxygen but also dries out the mouth, reducing saliva flow and enabling bacteria to thrive.  If you add in the sugary, acidic sports drink to a dry mouth, conditions are ideal for bacteria to flourish and create tooth decay.

Preventing Tooth Decay
Runners and other endurance athletes can utilize several tips to aid in the reduction of dental decay:

1. Brush and floss regularly while consuming a healthy diet.
2. Chew gum to neutralize the bacteria and increase saliva flow, specifically gum with xylitol.
3. Swish with water after drinking sports drinks, energy bars, or gels. This will help reduce the sugar and acid left on the teeth.
4. Ask your dentist about sealants and fluoride treatments, even if you are over the age of 18. Preventative aids such as these may help reduce the effects of dry mouth and sports drinks.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-saltmarsh/health-and-fitness_b_5412685.html


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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