Some sporting practices can cause damage to the oral tract, including tooth decay and tooth enamel erosion.
When we think of practicing any physical activity, we already imagine that it requires a series of precautions, such as choosing suitable clothing, adopting a balanced diet and planning. However, what many people end up forgetting is that oral health also needs special attention among athletes. After all, second Dr Hugo Lewgoydental surgeon and USP doctor, the presence of pathologies in this part of the body, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, can hinder sports performance.
“These oral problems lead to the release of cytokines into the bloodstream, which causes an inflammatory process throughout the body, impairs post-workout recovery and, consequently, increases the risk of injury,” explains the specialist.
WHAT IS HURT FOR ORAL HEALTH?
Furthermore, another point that must be taken into account is that some habits commonly performed by athletes can also favor the onset of oral diseases, such as a high consumption of isotonic drinks, protein bars, injections, supplements and other foods rich in carbohydrates. and/or with an acidic pH.
“Because many of these foods have high levels of sugar and acidity, they can cause a change in the pH of the oral cavity, causing tooth enamel to erode and promoting the growth of microorganisms that cause tooth decay,” he warns.
Again according to Dr. Hugo, even the act of grinding the teeth, which occurs with a certain frequency during the execution of physical strength exercises, favors the wear of the teeth.
“Another habit that is often performed during more intense exercise is breathing through the mouth, which can cause dryness of the oral mucosa. And, without the protective function offered by saliva, the risk of tooth decay also increases. This dryness favors the desquamation of the mucous membrane, with accumulation of cells on the tongue and formation of tongue coating, which leads to bad breath,” he adds.
HOW TO AVOID?
One of the main strategies to prevent oral problems is to control the consumption of products with sugar and acidity. And of course, maintaining a proper health routine in this region is also imperative.
To have good hygiene, Dr. Hugo says that the ideal is to opt for soft brushes with a large amount of bristles, as they prevent wear of the tooth enamel and gum recession, as well as increase the effectiveness of brushing .
“A good option is the Velvet brush, from Curaprox, which has 12,460 Curen bristles, a type of finer, ultra-soft fiber that can disorganize plaque without causing trauma,” advises Dr. Hugo Lewgoy.
It also clarifies some doubts about toothpastes, recalling that it is necessary to favor products with low abrasiveness, such as Enzycal and Be You, which also have an anti-cariogenic action.
“The vast majority of toothpastes contain SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), which is a type of detergent responsible for foaming, however it contributes to the dryness of the oral mucous membranes and increases the incidence of canker sores. Also, the abrasive substances present in these toothpastes contribute to an increase in dental abrasion (wear) and gum recession (retraction),” he says.
Brushing alone is not enough for effective oral hygiene. Therefore, include interdental brushes in your routine, such as the Curaprox CPS Prime line.
“While flossing can help remove food debris from very tight contact points, the interdental brush disorganizes bacterial plaque or oral biofilm into irregularities and depressions between teeth that flossing fails to clean,” points out the surgeon-dentist.
As far as tongue hygiene is concerned, she says that this habit helps prevent bad breath and the development of microorganisms harmful to teething. To that end, his recommendation is the Tung Brush and Tung Gel duo.
“The Tung toothbrush has firmer bristles than conventional toothbrushes, making it more effective at penetrating the crevices and irregularities of the tongue to remove the lingual coating, while the Tung gel facilitates the removal of the coating and neutralizes the gases that cause bad breath “.
Still, it’s worth having a portable oral care kit in your gym bag, as protein bars and high-sugar isotonic drinks are products usually consumed immediately after training.
FIND A DENTIST
Finally, if you have noticed that you have a habit of grinding your teeth or breathing through your mouth, make sure you visit a dentist, as the professional will help you deal with the situation right.
“When these acts become frequent, harming the patient’s well-being, a multidisciplinary treatment may be indicated, which includes, for example, in addition to the dentist, a psychologist, in the case of teeth grinding, or an otolaryngologist, in the case of breathing alterations” , concludes Dr. Hugo Lewgoy.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
