Oral health in young elite swimmers
 
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TRENDS in Sport Sciences 2020;27(2)
 
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ABSTRACT
Introduction. Evidence of a lack in oral healthcare in sport hasemerged since reports from Olympic Games indicated a higherrisk for problems of the oral cavity. Oral diseases could affectwell-being and the quality of life, with anecdotal reports thatathletes are concerned about their oral conditions and potentialimpairment of performance. Aim of Study. Our purpose was toobserve, through a clinical perspective, the orofacial development,dental relationships and oral health of young elite swimmers.Material and Methods. A cohort of 17 young elite swimmers wereevaluated for skeletal and occlusion development or problemsarising from gums and teeth. Results. Several conditions (e.g.pattern II, class III and crossbite) differed from the normalskeletal and dental development but most of the swimmersevaluated had a proper position of bone bases and teeth. Dentalcaries (n = 5) and gum-inflammatory states (n = 3) were alsodetected. Conclusions. Oral health status was not completelymonitored in our group of elite swimmers. Strategies to preventoral diseases and promote oral health within sport need to bedeveloped. Good oral health practices should be a priority forathletes, clubs and sports federations.
eISSN:2391-436X
ISSN:2299-9590
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