The Spanish Society of Periodontology (SEPA) has produced a scientific report which points to the association between poor oral and periodontal health and poorer sporting performance.
The relationship between sports practice and oral health are complementary: on the one hand, the continuous practice of sports is usually linked to a healthy lifestyle, this lifestyle will limit general and oral pathologies; on the other hand, among athletes, poor oral health can have a negative influence on their performance.
Sport has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and to improve the immune system. Several scientific studies indicate that people who do more sport in their leisure time have a lower risk of inflammatory factors that are conducive to diseases such as periodontitis.
A link has even been established between obesity, physical fitness and periodontitis: people with a lower body mass index and higher oxygen consumption during exercise tend to have better periodontal health.
But, in the other direction, it has also been established that poor oral health can induce systemic inflammation that affects overall health. Thus, poor oral health affects both the gums and the rest of the body, generating an inflammatory state that favours the development of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or respiratory infections among others.
“The decrease in sporting performance caused by oral problems derives, fundamentally, from the presence of pain, poorer quality of life, less well-being and the existence of systemic inflammation”.
In particular, periodontitis is associated with an increased risk of muscle contractures, muscle fatigue and delayed recovery from muscle injuries.