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 Ian Needleman
A1 Paul Ashley
A1 Peter Fine
A1 Fares Haddad
A1 Mike Loosemore
A1 Akbar de Medici
A1 Nikos Donos
A1 Tim Newton
A1 Ken van Someren
A1 Rebecca Moazzez
A1 Rod Jaques
A1 Glenn Hunter
A1 Karim Khan
A1 Mark Shimmin
A1 John Brewer
A1 Lyndon Meehan
A1 Steve Mills
A1 Stephen Porter
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.