Many professional football players have poor oral health
A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has revealed that professional football players are at an increased risk for poor oral health. Many U.K. professional footballers have active caries, or are concerned by their oral health despite having access to some of the best medical care in the U.K.
The lead author of the study Ian Needleman, BDS, PhD, a professor of restorative dentistry and evidence-based healthcare at University College London, has previously studied athletes’ oral health. His findings have shown that many athletes have preventable oral health conditions, including caries, periodontal disease, and erosion.
For the study, six dentists examined 187 professional football players from eight U.K. football clubs. This represented 96% of eligible athletes, making this study one of the largest single sport oral health surveys. Each player was also given a questionnaire to determine demographic information, symptoms, oral health behavior, and health-related quality of life.
The researchers found that 37% of respondents had at least one tooth affected by dental caries, and 84% of players had at least one decayed or restored tooth. 78% of players ages 16 to 24 had caries and restorations, whilst 92% of 25- to 34-year-olds also suffered from these.
The researchers also found that athletes’ poor oral health impacted their performance and everyday quality of life. More than 45% of players reported being bothered by their oral health. Almost 20% said poor oral health affected their quality of life, and 6.9% said poor oral health affected their training or performance.
The study was compared to data from a recent Adult Dental Health Survey for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The researchers found that, in general, the athletes in the study had a similar or higher frequency of untreated caries and also more restorations.
The study recommended implementing oral health education and prevention programs for athletes, as they are at a higher risk for dental problems. Dr. Needleman specifically mentioned programs to emphasize regular oral health screenings, prevent disease progression, and integrate oral health promotion with other healthcare for athletes. He also recommended general dentists talk to athletes about healthy nutrition.
However, studies are needed that investigate different models of oral health promotion within professional soccer. Dr. Needleman is currently working on a large study evaluating oral health in multiple sports, hopefully paving the way for a more thorough understanding of oral health in athletes.
