The Paris 2024 Olympics make history. It has been proven: a healthy mouth improves sports performance, reducing the risk of infections and diseases that can affect physical performance.
And at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games they know it well: for the first time in history, the International Olympic Committee has included an Oral Health department to take care of the smile and, therefore, the health of the athletes.
What is the relationship between oral health and sport?
Practicing sports contributes to maintaining good oral health by reducing inflammatory factors that can cause gum diseases, such as periodontitis.
And, at the same time, poor oral health can cause conditions that negatively affect sports performance.
Athletes, especially high-performance athletes, are more susceptible to oral problems due to factors such as a diet rich in carbohydrates and the regular consumption of isotonic and sugary drinks.
These habits, combined with stress and dehydration, can cause cavities, dental erosion and periodontal disease, affecting sports performance.
Impact of oral diseases on sports performance Oral diseases such as periodontitis, cavities and bruxism can have a significant impact on the performance of athletes.
Periodontitis can cause systemic inflammation, which increases the risk of muscle fatigue, contractures, and slower recovery from injuries.
Untreated cavities can cause poor chewing and, hence, poor nutrition, affecting the athlete’s energy and endurance.
Bruxism, common among athletes due to stress, can cause headaches, contractures in the cervical area, neck and shoulders, and dental wear.
All of this not only causes discomfort, but can also limit movements and performance during sports practice.
A milestone in Olympic history: Paris 2024 The International Olympic Committee has recognized the importance of oral health and has included for the first time an Oral Health department in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games that will be dedicated to preventing and treating oral conditions in athletes, ensuring their best performance.
This progress highlights the growing awareness of the influence of oral health on sports practice, preventing problems such as muscle fatigue and slow recovery from injuries.
The initiative underlines the relevance of comprehensive care that now includes oral health as essential for sporting success, providing regular check-ups, preventive treatments and specific care for athletes.
At Clínica Cervera we also know that oral health plays a crucial role in sports performance, which is why we encourage and support it through collaborations such as sponsorship with the Uni Girona women’s basketball club, whom we have been accompanying and caring for both on and off the court for three years.
With the creation of the new Oral Health department in Paris 2024, significant progress is being made in protecting athletes and optimizing their competitive capabilities.
Maintaining a healthy mouth not only improves overall health, but can also be essential for achieving new sporting achievements.