It’s hard to win a gold medal if you have a toothache. A recent study cited in the British Journal of Sports Medicine explored how poor oral health affects athletic performance at the elite level.
“More than 40% of athletes were bothered by their oral health with 28% reporting an impact on quality of life and 18% on training and performance.”1
The dental problems experienced by Olympians and professional athletes are not any different than those found in the general population: tooth decay, dental erosion, periodontal disease, and inflammation around partially erupted wisdom teeth. It’s important to note that these troubles are largely preventable.
Athletes are also at risk for mouth injuries suffered while competing or training. Tooth trauma can prevent injured athletes from competing in the short term and cause ongoing complications down the road.
Whether you are an Olympic runner or a busy Lafayette working mom who seems to be running all the time, dental health affects your overall health and quality of life. Don’t let your performance suffer because of poor oral health.
If it has been a while since you have had a dental exam, we invite you to schedule a check-up and cleaning by calling Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 303-665-5335.
Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry is located at 1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201 in Lafayette, Colorado. We provide general and cosmetic dental procedures including porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry. You can read more about our services at https://www.bouldercountysmiles.com/.
1Ashley, Di Iorio, Cole, Tanday, Needleman, “Oral health of elite athletes and association with performance: a systematic review,” British Journal of Sports Medicine, November 11, 2014, https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2014/11/11/bjsports-2014-093617.full?g=w_bjsm_open_tab, accessed on December 19, 2014
Contact Gordon West DDS – Aesthetic & General Dentistry:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026