Recently a study, led by Professor Ian Needleman of the
University College London Eastman Dental Institute, was published in the BritishJournal of Sports Medicine. The study, conducted on 302 athletes, showed the impact
of oral health on quality of life and athletic performance.
Dr. Needleman's team recruited athletes from the London 2012
athletes' village to take part in the study. Each athlete received an oral
health exam which included a personal assessment of the impact their oral
health had on quality of life and athletic performance.
More than 75% of the participants had gingivitis and 15% had
signs of more advanced periodontal disease. The athletes, mostly
from Africa, the Americas and Europe, represented 25 different sporting
events with the vast majority competing in track and field. These participants
were eager to share how they felt that the lack of oral health care impacted
their performance.
Everything from pain and swelling, to bad breath and
embarrassment were their complaints.
The conclusion: "Oral health is important for wellbeing
and successful elite sporting performance," says Dr. Needleman. "It
is amazing that many professional athletes - people who dedicate a huge amount
of time and energy to honing their physical abilities - do not have sufficient
support for their oral health needs, even though this negatively impacts on
their training and performance."
"Each day we see patients who report that the treatment
they receive has led them to have enhanced well-being and feelings of more
energy," says Dr. Denine Rice (link) from her Riverside Periodontal
practice(Link). "No matter your activity level, good oral health pays
off."
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