Does exercise increase your risk of dental decay?
Exercise is often extolled as a natural tonic that boosts mental and physical wellbeing, but a new study has raised questions about its universal health benefits. While being active is proven to reduce the risk of a host of serious illnesses, researchers have discovered that exercise may be linked to a higher risk of tooth decay.
A recent study revealed that rates of decay were significantly higher among elite athletes than in the general population. A research team led by Professor Ian Needleman, from UCL’s Eastman Dental Institute, analysed data collected from members of British sports teams, including GB Cycling, Team Sky, Reading FC, GB Athletics and England Rugby. More than 350 adults were involved in the study and athletes represented 11 different sports.
The research team found that almost 50% of those screened showed signs of decay and 77% had swollen gums. Ninety-seven percent of those involved brushed their teeth twice a day. Despite the fact that the athletes had better oral hygiene habits than average, rates of decay were found to be higher than in the general population. This trend was apparent across sports.
Prof Needleman explained that the high rates could be due to diet, as most elite athletes have a high-carbohydrate diet. Foods like bread and pasta are broken down into sugars, and this causes bacteria to feed and subsequently release harmful acids.
To combat the effects of eating carbohydrates, dental experts recommend swapping white bread, rice, pasta and crisps for wholemeal and wholegrain versions. It’s also advisable to avoid brushing straight after eating, and to chew sugar-free gum to neutralise acids in the mouth after a meal.
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