When you do a lot of physical activity, dental capital is threatened.
What surprise the most sports of us. And yet, if we do not take care of our quenottes, the risk is to end up with a mouth full of caries and bare teeth.
The athlete's diet partly at issue
"To be effective, athletes consume large amounts of carbohydrates: pasta, dried fruit, cereal bars, fruit juice ... observes Dr. Jean-Luc Dartevelle, dentist at the National Institute of Sport (Insep) and vice President of the European Association for Sports Dentistry.
These foods are necessary to support a prolonged effort, but they cause peaks of acidity in the mouth which in the long run weaken the enamel and favor the attack of the bacteria. Hence the more frequent occurrence of caries and periodontal diseases (damage to the dental support tissues) that are likely to induce problems of loosening. "
Suer reduces saliva production
To minimize the risk, the athlete must - even more than any other person - scrupulously respect the rules of oral hygiene (two brushings per day) and reduce its exposure to sugary products.
It is also better for him to drink the fruit juice and energy drinks with straw, not in a glass or bottle, so that they do not come in contact with the teeth.
"Intense physical activity also causes water losses that cause a decrease in saliva production," says Dr. Dartevelle.
As a result, the mouth is drier and saliva no longer acts as a lubricant and protective buffer.
Regular hydration - before, during and after sport - is therefore crucial for teeth.
Sugar-free chewing gum is also a great help. Chewing them increases the amount of saliva, which neutralizes oral acidity.
The chlorine of the pool attacks the enamel
Swimmers are sometimes faced with a specific concern: chlorine used to disinfect basins and pool water.
By evaporating in the form of hydrochloric acid, this chemical compound presents a real danger for the teeth: it attacks the enamel.
If you swim regularly, it is better to learn about the quality of the water and the amount of chlorine added. And when you consult your dentist, do not forget to tell him that we practice swimming at high doses.
We know more exposed, he can take the appropriate precautionary measures against premature wear: advise the installation of a fluoride varnish or the wearing of fluorination gutters if necessary.
Dental fractures are not very frequent, except in combat sports or those where there is contact (handball, basketball ...). In the event of a fracture, recover the fragments of teeth that have come loose, keep them in a physiological liquid (or in milk) and make an appointment with the dentist within 24 hours. He can glue them with an invisible resin.
