Improving sports performance begins with healthy gums. Periodontitis increases the risk of muscle contractures, fatigue and delayed recovery from injuries. “Sports is health” is a phrase that is in the popular ideology of the 21st century.
And it is very true.
Regular sports practice as part of a healthy lifestyle limits the risks of alterations in the body in general and in the mouth in particular.
But just as sports influence oral health, can oral problems cause a decrease in sports performance?
According to currently available studies, diseased gums can cause general (systemic) inflammation that affects overall health.
Periodontal diseases, such as oral infections that cause inflammation, affect both the gums and the rest of the body by generating an inflammatory state that favors the development of diseases as important as cardiovascular (including myocardial infarction) or respiratory, among others, which also affect sports performance.
In addition, periodontitis (or “pyorrhea”) is directly related to reduced muscle strength in the abdomen, push-ups and running, and is linked to a higher risk of muscle contractures, muscle fatigue and delayed recovery from muscle injuries.
This is because the infection spreads from the mouth through the bloodstream, affecting the athlete’s muscles and joints, which is why a chronic infection can lead to arthritis or tendonitis.
Bidirectional relationship The relationship between sports practice and oral health has a two-way aspect.
We have already explained how unhealthy gums can negatively influence sports performance.
But in addition, it has been proven that sport has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves the immune system.
Several international scientific studies indicate that people who practice sports regularly have a lower risk of presenting inflammatory factors that lead to the appearance of diseases such as periodontitis.
In fact, a relationship has been established between obesity, good physical health and periodontitis: people with a lower body mass index and higher oxygen consumption during exercise tend to have better periodontal health.
It is also known that obesity can be a risk factor for periodontitis.
The Achilles heel of the elite athlete Although this bidirectional relationship between gum disease and sports performance affects both amateurs and elite athletes, the latter must pay more attention to their oral health considering the extreme effort they put on their bodies.
However, oral health is the Achilles heel of elite sport.
This is demonstrated by a study by a group of researchers from University College London (UCL), led by Professor Ian Needleman.
After subjecting about 300 athletes to an oral examination, they found that more than 75% had gingivitis and 15% periodontitis.
One in three of these athletes recognized that poor oral health influenced their quality of life and 18% on their sports performance.
This scientific evidence should give us extra motivation to do physical activity regularly and maintain a healthy weight, in addition to taking care of the health of our gums, on which our quality of life largely depends.