Now that it’s 2016, athletes throughout the globe are looking forward to the Summer Games in Rio. Unfortunately, many of these athletes are probably neglecting their oral health. This is according to observations made during the 2012 Olympics in London, where a surprising number of the participants were afflicted with some form of dental problem.
During the Olympics, it was found that nearly a fifth of the athletes exhibited toothaches, bleeding gums, cavities, or other problems. In some of the worse cases, these problems were so severe that they threatened to prevent athletes from participating in their events. Since many Olympians are otherwise peak physical specimens, what could be causing such a lack in oral health?
It would appear that the athletic lifestyle is not one conducive of healthy teeth and gums. This is due in a big part to the athlete’s diet, which is often heavy in carbohydrates. Carbs are sugars, and serve to promote tooth decay. Meanwhile, an athlete’s workout serves to dehydrate the mouth, which fosters further decay; some people will try to fight dehydration with sugary sports drinks, but this only makes matters worse.
If you fancy yourself an athlete, be sure to take particular care of your teeth. Call our Auburn dentist during normal business hours for more.
