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Tooth Sensitivity in Athletes: Causes and Solutions
Many endurance athletes know the feeling: that sharp, sudden zing when you drink cold water during a race, or bite into something sweet after training. Tooth sensitivity is a common issue among athletes — and it’s more than just discomfort. It’s often a sign of enamel erosion, exposed dentin, or soft tissue changes that deserve attention. Why Athletes Experience More Tooth Sensitivity 1. Acidic Sports Drinks and FuelsFrequent consumption of sports drinks, energy drinks, and carbohydrate gels exposes teeth to acids and sugars. These lower the pH in the mouth,... Read more...
Why Athladent Is SLS-Free (and Why That Matters for Your Mouth)
Most people don’t think twice about what’s in their toothpaste. But one common ingredient in many mainstream brands—sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)—can actually cause more harm than good, especially for athletes. That’s why Athladent is proudly SLS-free, using gentler surfactants that clean effectively without the side effects. What Is SLS? Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a detergent and foaming agent. It’s what gives many toothpastes that thick, bubbly lather. While it helps spread toothpaste across your teeth, it doesn’t provide any direct health benefits. In fact, for many people, it can... Read more...
The Science of Saliva: Your Body’s Natural Defense Against Cavities
 I often remind patients that saliva is far more than just “spit.” It’s one of the body’s most powerful tools for protecting teeth and gums. For athletes, who often face unique oral health challenges due to frequent carbohydrate intake, acidic sports drinks, and dehydration, saliva plays an even more critical role. What Does Saliva Actually Do? 1. Buffers AcidsEvery time you consume carbs or sugary drinks, bacteria in your mouth produce acids that weaken enamel. Saliva contains bicarbonate, which neutralizes these acids and restores a healthier oral pH [1]. 2.... Read more...
Tooth Sensitivity in Athletes: Why It Happens and How to Protect Your Smile
As dentists, we often hear athletes complain about “zinging” or sharp tooth pain during training or after consuming cold drinks. This tooth sensitivity is more than an annoyance—it’s usually a sign of underlying dental erosion and exposed dentin. For endurance athletes, the problem is common, preventable, and worth addressing early. Why Athletes Experience Tooth Sensitivity Acidic fueling habitsFrequent use of sports drinks, high sugar foods, and energy drinks, exposes teeth to high acidity, which softens enamel and opens the door to dentin exposure [1–3]. Mechanical stress and training environmentsHeavy training puts... Read more...
Fluoride vs. Nano-Hydroxyapatite: Which Is Best for Athletes?
I’m often asked which ingredient offers the best protection against cavities and enamel wear—fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAp). The truth is, both are excellent tools for oral health, and athletes may benefit from one or the other depending on their specific situation. That’s why Athladent offers both fluoride and n-HAp toothpaste lines—so every athlete can protect their teeth in the way that suits them best. The Case for Fluoride Fluoride has been the gold standard of cavity prevention for decades. It helps athletes by: Remineralizing enamel – Rebuilds weakened enamel after... Read more...
Why 1 in 2 Endurance Athletes Develop Cavities – A Dentist’s Perspective
As a dentist, I frequently see endurance athletes struggling with oral health issues despite being highly disciplined in other aspects of their lives. Research consistently shows that 47–63% of elite athletes have active cavities, a rate far higher than the general population [1–4]. This problem isn’t due to neglect—it’s the unique combination of diet, training, and physiology that puts athletes at risk. Why Athletes Are More Vulnerable Frequent carbohydrate fuelingDuring long training sessions and races, athletes rely on carbohydrate-rich gels, chews, and sports drinks to maintain performance. Unfortunately, frequent exposure to... Read more...