Sports Dentistry

The role of the sports dentist is primarily to help athletes achieve full dental fitness.

Acute dental problems are unwelcome at any time but especially prior to, or on the day of, an important sporting event. Even if you have never previously required dental treatment it is important to realise that symptoms often only occur during the later stages of dental disease.

Risk Factors

• Neglect

  A lack of routine care, maintenance, regular dental examinations and hygiene appointments can result in dental emergencies occurring - even in previously disease free mouths.

• Wisdom Teeth

  A very common problem in young people in their late teens and twenties. Teeth partially erupting through the gum can easily become infected causing pain, swelling and fever.

• Diet

  Isotonic drinks recommended by nutritionists for elite athletes are full of sugar and very acidic. Regular consumption increases the risk of decay and acid erosion of teeth, in the same way as cola!

• Infection from the mouth

  Infection (gum disease/decay/infected wisdom teeth) travels around the body in the blood stream. It is recognised that the infection can settle in other sites (such as injuries) and cause problems. A general level of infection (bacteraemia) can cause us to feel less than 100% - undesirable when competing at the highest levels in sport.