Life as an athlete, aspiring or professional, often demands the use of sports supplements, shakes, and inter-session boosts. As a result, the oral health of athletes is often degraded. This finding was made by the Eastman Dental Institute at University College London, where researchers observed that nutrition had a significant impact on determining oral health. The message is clear – for athletes, it’s hugely important to manage the oral side effects of what are often necessary sporting supplements. The good news is that many of them can actually promote long-term positive oral health.
Whey protein
According to a study conducted by Joe.co.uk, whey protein remains the number 1 sporting supplement – if it can be termed that – favoured by British athletes. Often packaged in sugary-sweet protein powders and prepared with equally sweet milks, whey protein is powerful, but has side effects. Unfortunately, those sugars can be severely harmful for long-term oral health; sugar is a leading cause of gum disease, which leads to tooth loss. In the US, this has led to 20% of all senior citizens (65 and over) losing all of their teeth. However, whey protein has the capability to combat this long term threat – according to a study conducted at Cambridge University, the protein content can effectively combat periodontitis, reducing the risk of oral health problems. The solution? Keep taking your whey protein, but consider brushing straight away, whether at the gym or at home.
Using creatine properly
As an add-on to protein supplementation, creatine has become very popular as a way to help put on those last few pounds of muscle. However, if underutilised, it can build up in the kidneys and cause problems for the smooth running of your renal system. This, in turn, will impact on oral health. According to the US Kidney Foundation, those diagnosed with kidney conditions or on active dialysis can have a weakened immune system, leading to problems with the mouth as a primary symptom – think bleeding gums, and abscesses. Creatine is absolutely safe – just make sure that your body is putting it to work.
During the workout
Mid-workout, some of the most popular supplements employed by athletes are energy drinks and booster packs, such as the liquid sugar sachets that are packaged with many protein orders. These are undoubtedly powerful, but can have a hugely detrimental effect on oral hygiene. According to The Guardian, a study of athletes where 87% consumed energy drinks also found a 49% rate of undiagnosed tooth decay – despite having, overall, better-than-average oral hygiene habits. Try and steer clear of energy drinks; whenever you’re not at maximum performance, they will not be burned off by your body, and will add little nutritional value to your day.
Supplements are a vital part of hitting peak performance. They are also a problem for your oral hygiene, with many of their side-effects impacting on gums and teeth. To combat this, simply be mindful of your oral hygiene every time you hit the gym.
FEATURED GUEST POST BY JANE SANDWOOD