User:Kayla Vedral/sandbox

Oral health is the health of the mouth, gums (gingivae), and teeth, which can be affected by behaviors practiced or conditions encountered while training for and participating in competitive sports. The fields of health, dentistry, and sports medicine come together in order to understand oral health of a higher degree. Oral health is important to one’s overall physical, mental, and social wellness. Maintenance of the oral cavity (including teeth, gums, and tongue) can allow for success in other areas. Oral health is very important for individuals who are in the profession of sports. The nexus that oral health and sports share demonstrates that there is a close correlation between the athlete, performance, and success rate. Findings state, that oral health in association with athletes is in poor condition for the overall stereotype of a typically healthy and prosperous human being. The epidemiology of oral disease particularly in the athlete population needs more research to understand the impact that oral health has on success rates.

Oral health and hygiene go hand in hand as well as impact one’s overall primary care and quality of life. Dentistry is a sub-branch of medicine that is involved in the treatment and prevention of the oral cavity and its components. However, there is increasing recognition that athletes need knowledge on how teeth play a bigger impact in overall health of an individual. This is true for athletes of all divisions whether, collegiate or professional. With the hours and hours of practices an athlete endures, having oral health problems will be common. Being successful in any sport requires practice and with insufficient oral hygiene this may or may not reflect on future outcomes. Common factors that influence poor oral health in athletes are nutrition, environment, level of knowledge, and salivary flow during exercise. These factors lead to erosion, periodontal disease, caries, and sometimes oral trauma. All of these diseases further interfere with eating, drinking, and sleeping and the continued success and performance of the athlete.

Nutrition

Nutritional intake for an individual is influential in health, but it is crucial for athletes. They need to have a well-balanced diet that incorporates carbohydrates, healthy fats, proteins/amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Eating the appropriate amount will aid in immune function and lacking will result in dietary deficiencies. Training and recovery are often supported with liquids or gels that are full of carbohydrates. These drinks and other sport supplements are often associated with poor oral health due to the sugar being metabolized by oral bacteria into acids that erode the enamel and predispose the teeth to caries. The caries risk is compounded by the low pH of sports drinks. Poor oral hygiene leads to buildup of plaque and tartar, and if not taken care of through cleanings and proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) can result in inflammation of the gums (periodontitis). If allowed to progress unchecked, gum disease (periodontal disease) will result. Drying of the oral cavity that prevents the flow of salivary glands can result from mouth breathing and the stress of competition.

Dental Trauma

Dental or orofacial (mouth and face region) trauma is a factor in oral health of athletes. Trauma usually occurs in contact sports and has the potential to cause irreversible damage.Dental trauma can have a various range of consequences dealing with a simple chipped tooth to a tooth avulsion. In order to delay this damage, prompt triage is a must. Awareness is a key component in the triage steps. Anyone that watches or interacts with athletes who participate in sports where injury to the teeth is likely, should be educated to be able to provide immediate assistance, as that can possibly minimize changes of life-long ramifications.

The most crucial situation would be an avulsed tooth. This is a very complicated injury that results in many parts and should have prompt aid to save the tooth for possible replantation. If treatment is delayed it may be too far-gone to repair the damage that is done and implants would be the next preferred method of choice. However, if it is possible to save the tooth there are six simple steps.

Protection and Prevention

Protection is aimed to decrease the risks of injuries. Being an athlete there is increase risk for obtaining injuries not just to the oral cavity. With present-day sports and their evolvement, most high-risk sports have made fitted protective equipment available including protective pads, facial protectors, mouthguards, and helmets mandatory.

Mouthguards are worn on the upper jaw and protect against injuries to the face and more importantly to the mouth region. Opting for water instead of sugary sports drinks is a way to stay more hydrated and protect teeth. Some sports drinks contain amino acids that weaken enamel and sets up for a higher risk of cavities. As an athlete practicing a sport to perfection, so should one do in the maintenance of oral hygiene. Using proper rules of brushing, flossing, and rinsing will help protect teeth and prevent future oral problems.

Sports Dentistry as a Profession

The profession of dentistry can lead to opportunities to work with different target groups that turn into consistent patients; this is also known as practice building, which for some dentists will turn into a full-time position as the sports team dentist that provides comprehensive dental care to everyone on the team and staff. They oversee all games and are responsible for emergency dental treatment. They belong to the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) that provides dentists with essentials and knowledge to educate players, coaches, as well as parents to reduce sports- related oral injuries/disease from occurring.