For 80 minutes that really count, first tackle oral health

Poor oral health is proven to negatively impact training and performance amongst elite athletes (1, 2) – and with cavities more common in rugby union than almost every other sport (2), this match day preparation should start long before the mouthguards go in.

International oral healthcare company Sunstar supported the original launch of the Sports Dentistry Guidelines with the FDI (World Dental Federation), and holds global events on the theme.

Poor oral health is prevalent in high performance sport. In one study of 302 elite athletes, almost half had not undergone a dental examination or hygiene care in the previous year. 55 per cent presented with dental cavities, 45 per cent with dental erosion, and 76 per cent with gingivitis (1). Further research shows odds of cavities being 2.4x higher in team sports – and highest in rugby (2). Meanwhile, one recent study also suggests that professional rugby players have poorer oral health than the general population (3).