Good oral health is vital for athletes

Those who play sports are at greater risk of dental diseases such as caries and periodontitis. Therefore, taking care of your oral health is particularly important because problems can also affect athletic performance.

Life as an athlete has many health benefits but can also have negative consequences. One is that those who play sports at a high level are more likely to have caries and inflammation of the gums, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

There are several reasons for this. People who train hard need to eat more often, which strains the teeth. It is also not uncommon to need extra energy during training sessions, and many energy supplements, such as energy bars and drinks, are high in sugar.

Intense exercise also involves a high heart rate and intense breathing, often through the mouth. This reduces saliva production, making it easier for bacteria to attach to teeth.

Studies have shown that among athletes, as many as around 70% have caries, and 15% have periodontitis or tooth loss.

Oral bacteria migrate elsewhere to the body

Annimari Korte is a hurdler who has represented Finland in both the World Championships and the Olympics. She previously held the Finnish record in the 100-metre hurdles.

- It is well known that elite athletes are at greater risk of dental disease. The symptoms themselves can be troublesome and make training complex, but they can also affect the body physically in a negative way that reduces performance, she says.

For example, the link between more severe dental disease and cardiovascular disease is well documented. Studies have shown, for example, that people with periodontitis, i.e. 28 per cent more likely to have a first heart attack. And the symptoms are not always visible.

- The harmful bacteria in our mouths can travel through the inflamed gums and into the bloodstream. When the body's immune system recognises the dangerous bacteria, the reaction results in an inflammation process to fight the bacteria. The result can be, for example, an infection of the heart valves or inflammation of the heart vessels, says Tommi Pätilä, cardiac surgeon and founder of Koite Health.

Light-activated therapy is essential for a healthy mouth

Exercising hard with low-grade inflammation in the body can involve significant risks. This is one reason why high-level athletes need to monitor their oral health.

- Because many oral conditions that can be detrimental to elite athletes are asymptomatic, it is essential to visit the dentist or dental hygienist frequently. This way, you can detect problems in time, says Annimari Korte.

To prevent oral infections and dental diseases, the most important thing to do is to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day and clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes. Taking some form of fluoride treatment daily is also a good tip.

Manual toothbrushing is not, however, perfect—studies have shown that it only removes 65 per cent of the harmful bacteria on your teeth—it can be helpful to use a supplement, such as Lumoral therapy. Lumoral uses a patented light-activated therapy that removes 99.9% of the harmful bacteria on the tooth surface.

- I have been using Lumoral for a year and a half now, and my gums are in much better shape today. They no longer bleed when I clean between my teeth, and I have not had a cold since then. This has allowed me to train very effectively, and recently, I did my fastest time in three years, 12.83 seconds, says Annimari Korte.

Lumoral

The Lumoral method removes microscopic plaque from the teeth and gums' surface, slowing down the formation of new plaque and tartar. Its effect is based on the light-activated Lumorinse mouthwash. The treatment targets its antibacterial effect only on plaque and thus favours the normal bacterial flora in the mouth. Lumoral is a CE-marked medical device.

Lumoral consists of a mint-flavoured mouth rinse, Lumorinse, which is combined with the special mouthpiece. Using a method resembling photosynthesis, the treatment eliminates the ability of plaque to adhere to its substrate, which means that the teeth are cleaned, and the tooth surface becomes smooth.

The treatment, which can be performed at home, takes 10 minutes and is recommended once or twice a week.

Lumoral Junior

For children, there is Lumoral Junior, which includes a mouthpiece adapted for children's needs.

It is suitable for children between 4 and 12 years old. From the age of 12, children can usually switch to using a Lumoral mouthpiece, which is ideal for adults. To use Lumoral, the child should be able to rinse their mouth with mouthwash.