RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Oral health and elite sport performance
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 3
OP 6
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2014-093804
VO 49
IS 1
A1 Needleman, Ian
A1 Ashley, Paul
A1 Fine, Peter
A1 Haddad, Fares
A1 Loosemore, Mike
A1 de Medici, Akbar
A1 Donos, Nikos
A1 Newton, Tim
A1 van Someren, Ken
A1 Moazzez, Rebecca
A1 Jaques, Rod
A1 Hunter, Glenn
A1 Khan, Karim
A1 Shimmin, Mark
A1 Brewer, John
A1 Meehan, Lyndon
A1 Mills, Steve
A1 Porter, Stephen
YR 2015
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/1/3.abstract
AB While the research base is limited, studies have consistently reported poor oral health in elite athletes since the first report from the 1968 Olympic Games. The finding is consistent both across selected samples attending dental clinics at major competitions and more representative sampling of teams and has led to calls from the International Olympic Committee for more accurate data on oral health. Poor oral health is an important issue directly as it can cause pain, negative effects on appearance and psychosocial effects on confidence and quality of life and may have long-term consequences for treatment burden. Self-reported evidence also suggests an impact on training and performance of athletes. There are many potential challenges to the oral health of athletes including nutritional, oral dehydration, exercise-induced immune suppression, lack of awareness, negative health behaviours and lack of prioritisation. However, in theory, oral diseases are preventable by simple interventions with good evidence of efficacy. The consensus statement aims to raise awareness of the issues of oral health in elite sport and recommends strategies for prevention and health promotion in addition to future research strategies.