The relation between performance and oral health in male athletes

Abstract

Objectives: .Oral health is as important to an athlete’s sporting successas regular exercise and adequatenutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between oral health and sporting performance.Methods: This prospective study was carried out with male athletes. Athletes' demographic characteristics,dental care habits, number of decayed, missing or filled teeth, and sporting performance data were recorded.The Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Significant Caries index (SCI) and Plaque index (PI) wereused to assess oral health. The T-Drill, Zig-Zag, Lateral Change of Direction (LCD) and 505 tests to assessagility, and 10-, 20- and 30-m short sprint tests were used to assess speed. The results were analyzed on SPSSsoftware, and p values < 0.05 were regarded as significant.Results: Ninety-six athletes were included in the study. Active caries was determined in 70.8%. The meanDMFT index value was 3.9 ± 3.7, mean SCI 10.2, and mean PI 0.9 ± 0.4. DMFT was ≥ 4 in 45.8% of athletesand < 4 in 57.2%. No difference was determined between subjects with DMFT < 4 and DMFT ≥ 4 in terms ofage, height, body weight, or years engaged in sports. Agility and speed tests results were superior in subjectswith DMFT