Sports dentistry is an important branch of sports medicine. Athletes must be in a perfect state of health, including oral health, in order to be able to carry out their activity successfully.

What is the relationship between oral health and sports? Why should athletes pay attention to the physical condition of their mouth? Let's take a closer look at the recommendations of experts in sports dentistryclosely related to general health.

What is sports dentistry?

Sports dentistry deals with the prevention and treatment of any oral pathology or injury related to the practice of sport. pathology or oral lesion related to the practice of sport and physical exercise. and physical exercise. In both elite and amateur athletes, the risk of suffering oral damage is higher than in other people, if the appropriate precautions are not taken.

Fortunately, the protection of oral structures is increasingly taken into account in the vast majority of physical sports. The use of mouthguards is one of the most frequently used measures. These are highly effective devices when they are custom-designed for each athlete and according to the type of exercise performed.

Importance of sports dentistry in oral care

Some time ago, oral health was one of the most neglected areas of sports injury prevention. It was common for athletes participating in contact sports to suffer from constant injuries or performance problems originating in the oral cavity.

Diseases such as periodontitis, canker sores, caries, dental fissures, malocclusion or erosion of teeth can lead to joint pain and jaw injuries. joint pain and lesions in the jaw, and gradually spread to other areas of the body.and gradually spread to other areas of the body.

In addition, in impact sports such as American football or boxing, dental breakages are more frequent in impact sports such as football or boxing..

These are just a few examples that the Spanish Society of Sports Dentistry (SEOD) highlights in order to emphasise the importance of sports dentistry.. Just as there are multiple types of sports, the treatments to be followed are totally adapted to each sportsperson.

Oral trauma in athletes

The vast majority of sportsmen and sportswomen are exposed to the risk of injury to their bodies during training or sports practice. The head and neck area are the most delicate. But just as there are head protectors, the use of mouthguards is of utmost importance.

These protective systems prevent trauma to the teeth and jaw by considerably reducing the force of impact.by considerably reducing the force of the impact. When a custom-made mouthguard is not used, the damage is high.

In addition to direct injury to the soft tissues inside the oral cavity and the gum, teeth can become cracked, and the jaw can even become dislocated.. In order to avoid discomfort and pain, there are different recommendations within sports dentistry that can be carried out in all types of sports.

Recommendations in sports dentistry

Preventive sports dentistry includes the study, revision, control and treatment of injuries and traumatisms. study, revision, control and treatment of injuries and traumatisms that may occur in the mouth of the that may occur in the athlete's mouth. Through these practices, the stability and strength of the oral structures and tissues is improved, limiting the negative effect that sports practice can have on them.

There are several recommendations for athletes to follow in order to protect their teeth during training and also in competition:

Use of mouthguards

Also known as splints, mouthguards are flexible plastic intra-oral flexible plastic intraoral devices that protect the oral and perioral structures against impacts and severe blows. They prevent fractures, dislocations and serious injuries such as jaw fractures or cervical injuries.

An athlete's mouthguard will be more effective when it fits more snugly in the oral cavity. Tailor-made mouthguards must be constantly cared for by means of cleaners that remove food debris and bacterial plaque to protect the mouth and to to protect the mouth and prolong the life of the splint as much as possible.

Early treatment of oral lesions

Sometimes, even with proper use of mouthguards, the athlete's oral cavity can suffer from small soft tissue lesions and aphthous ulcers. small soft tissue lesions and aphthous ulcers.. It is therefore important to prevent and treat any damage to the oral cavity at an early stage, with specific products such as those in the KIN Care range.

The Mouthwash KIN Care contains Aloe Vera among its ingredients to strengthen, moisturise and soothe the oral mucosa irritated by the use of mouthguards. In turn, the KIN Care mouth gel with hyaluronic acid and Aloe Vera with mucoadhesive properties, forms a protective film, moisturising and protecting the epithelial tissue of the mouth in wearers of orthodontic appliances and sports prostheses.

Extreme oral hygiene

Another recommendation for preventing oral health problems in sports dentistry is to take care of your oral hygiene. As simple as brushing thoroughly after every meal, combined with the use of dental floss, mouthwashes and otherThis should be combined with the use of dental floss, mouthwashes and other products that ensure a clean and protected mouth on a daily basis.

Visits to the dentist

Of course, it is important to emphasise the importance of dental check-ups every 6 months to check the patient's teeth and gums to check the state of the patient's gums and teeth. In the same way that athletes take care of their general physical health to the millimetre, they should also take care of their oral health as a basis for improving their physical performance.