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Published: July 31 2021

Elite athletes have access to world-class medical care, but experts say dental care is often overlooked.   While most doctors understand that the mouth is the gateway to the body, many don’t consider oral care as part of an overall health strategy.  And athletes are paying the price.

Why athletes are at greater risk of dental issues:

• Swimmers are at higher risk of having dental erosion due to the acidic environment in chlorinated pools.

• Most athletes adopt extreme diets and consume sugary drinks that can damage dental tissues and increase the risk of caries, gum diseases, and erosion.

• Elite athletes' lifestyles can also favor the development of conditions such as xerostomia (dry mouth) due to high levels of dehydration, stress, sweating, and mouth breathing.

• Oral injuries and dental trauma can often happen without the appropriate protection in contact sports such as hockey, boxing, martial arts, rugby, and more.