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Abstract
Introduction: The Sports Dental Medicine is a preventive multidisciplinary and specific area which allows oral health and the treatment of oral cavity diseases that can interfere with physical performance [Citation1]. Dental caries are a chronic disease with high prevalence and results from the dental demineralization in acidic environment initiated by micro-organisms [Citation2]. In endurance sports it is very common to increase the intake of carbohydrates which are essential for an adequate performance [Citation3]. This high intake of carbohydrates may lead to a decrease in oral pH, which in turn can promote enamel demineralization, exposing the individual to higher cariogenic risk [Citation4]. The main goal of the present investigation was to estimate the prevalence of dental caries in endurance sports athletes.
Materials and methods: This transversal and observational study was approved by Egas Moniz Ethical Committee (process number 531). The sample (n = 65) consisted of male and female individuals and after given informed consent, the type of exercise and feeding practiced by the participants was recorded as well as an oral exam to observe the decayed, missing and filled index (DMF). The cariogenic risk was obtained using the software Cariogram®. Collected data were analysed through descriptive statistics measures using frequency, dispersion and central tendency models.
Results: In the sample of 65 athletes, 55% were male and were 31.5 years old (±0.71 years). The CPOD was 5.3 (±2.12). The results showed that 66% of the athletes had high risk of caries, 11% had a moderate risk of caries, 23% had a low risk of caries. In the sample, 52% had caries and a round 32% had loss at least one tooth due to caries. The athletes had in average 45g of carbohydrates (±28 g) within which 19g (±7.7 g) were sugars just from dietary supplements.
Discussion and conclusions: It was possible to observe a high risk of caries in this sample of endurance athletes as well as a considerable incidence of this pathology. However, we did not find a relation between the risk / incidence of caries and the consumption of supplements and / or sugars and carbohydrates. We suggest the continuation of this study with the objective of increasing the study sample to confirm the results.
Acknowledgements
We thank to all the athletes who had participated in this study.