Sports Dentistry

Sports medicine contributes to healthier athletes and better performance. In recent years, sports medicine has evolved into a multidisciplinary field that recognizes sports dentistry as a key element.

Sports dentistry is the branch of dentistry dealing with prevention and treatments of the pathologies and injuries of the oral cavity and the stomatognathic system related to sports practice. The stomatognathic system is the anatomical and functional system comprising the teeth, jaws, associated soft tissues, facial muscles and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

“There is nothing more annoying than a player missing a game for a problem that was preventable or could have been treated earlier.”

 

 

Rob Price
Rob Price
Head of Medicine and Performance
Leeds United

Poor oral health severely impacts athletic performance

People who regularly participate in sports are more likely to suffer from dental conditions such as erosion and dental caries (tooth decay), xerostomia (dry mouth) and trauma. Maintaining good oral health helps to improve performance and helps to prevent injuries, for example by using a mouthguard during contact sports.

A survey1 carried out on 399 athletes during the 2012 Olympic Games found that:

  • 55.1% had dental caries
  • 44.6% suffered from moderate to severe dental erosion
  • 76% had periodontal disease, ranging from localized to generalized gingivitis
  • More than 40% of athletes were ‘bothered’ by their oral health: 28% reported an impact on quality of life and 18% on training and performance

Promoting sports dentistry for better oral health outcomes

Sports medicine contributes to healthier athletes and better performance. In recent years, sports medicine has evolved into a multidisciplinary field that recognizes sports dentistry as a key element.

Sports dentistry is the branch of dentistry dealing with prevention and treatments of the pathologies and injuries of the oral cavity and the stomatognathic system related to sports practice. The stomatognathic system is the anatomical and functional system comprising the teeth, jaws, associated soft tissues, facial muscles and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

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Sports dentistry

Goal 1

Provide a guideline for dentists and all levels of sports players to be aware of the impact sport has on oral health

Goal 2

Provide toolkit to introduce the impact of the stomatognathic system in sport to athletes, dentists, sports physicians, and sports institutions (including national/international sports federations)

Goal 3

Promote sports dentistry globally

The Sports Dentistry project is supported by :

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Sunstar Logo

Resources

Toolkit for sports organizations_toolkit
Sports dentistry
Toolkit for sports organizations
Toolkit

This toolkit aims to raise awareness globally among sports organizations about the importance of good oral health for athletes and outlines steps these organizations can take to protect athletes’ oral health.

Guideleness for amateurs_brochure
Sports dentistry
Guidelines for amateurs
Brochure

This guideline provides information on the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth while playing sports, how a healthy mouth affects athletic performance, and how to maintain and protect oral health when playing sports.

Guideleness for elite athletes_brochure
Sports dentistry
Guidelines for elite athletes
Brochure

This guideline provides information on maintaining a healthy mouth when competing at the elite level and how poor oral health effects performance. This guide also provides details on how to protect your mouth during sports and training.

Guidelines for dentists and sports medicine physicians_brochure
Sports dentistry
Guidelines for dentists and sports medicine physicians
Brochure

This comprehensive guide provides information for clinicians on how oral health impacts sports performance and vice-versa, along with recommendations for prevention, screening, treatment, and dental recall intervals.