News

Bruxism, Endurance Athletes, and Tooth Wear
Bruxism—commonly referred to as clenching or grinding—is a condition in which the upper and lower teeth repeatedly contact each other with significant force. Over time this mechanical loading leads to attrition, the gradual wearing away of enamel on the chewing surfaces of teeth. In the general population this process is problematic because it slowly shortens teeth and alters the vertical dimension of the bite. As enamel is lost, the face can take on a more collapsed appearance due to reduced occlusal height. Teeth attempt to compensate through a process known... Read more...
Have you ever thought about sealants?
Beyond Fueling: Another Overlooked Way to Reduce Cavity Risk Beyond choosing the right fueling mixtures and adjusting fueling habits, there are additional tools that can meaningfully reduce cavity risk—especially for endurance athletes. One commonly overlooked but highly effective option is dental sealants. What Are Sealants? Sealants are small, protective restorations placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Importantly, no tooth structure is removed, making them highly conservative and reversible. A flowable material is applied into the pits and fissures of the tooth, then cured with a UV light. Once... Read more...
Xerostomia and the endurance athlete
Why Exercise Dries Out Your Mouth - It's not what you think  If you’ve ever been deep into a long ride or run and felt like your mouth suddenly turned into sandpaper, you’ve experienced what athletes commonly call cottonmouth. In dentistry, we use terms like hyposalivation (reduced saliva flow) or xerostomia (dry mouth), but they all describe the same thing: your mouth stops producing enough saliva when you need it most. During exercise, this dry mouth isn’t random. It comes from two primary physiological changes: how we breathe and how... Read more...
Your Legs Are Fit. Your Teeth Might Not Be.
Have you ever stood at the start line of a big race on a cool, crisp morning, heart pounding with nerves and excitement? You take one deep breath of cold air just before the gun goes off—and then you feel it. That sharp, all too common electric “zing” from the tooth that’s been bothering you for weeks. At that moment, you already know what’s coming. Hours of sports drinks, gels, and acidic fuels are about to wash over that sensitive spot again and again. By the finish line, your legs... Read more...
How Athladent™ Protects Enamel During Exercise
Endurance exercise places unique stresses on the oral environment. Reduced saliva flow, frequent carbohydrate intake, and acidic sports drinks all contribute to enamel demineralization. Over time, this can increase tooth sensitivity, surface roughness, and susceptibility to decay. Athladent™ with 10% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) is formulated to counter these effects by supporting enamel remineralization even under low-saliva conditions, when fluoride alone is less effective. How Exercise Affects Enamel During prolonged or intense physical activity, several physiological changes occur in the mouth: Reduced salivary flow – Heavy breathing and dehydration decrease saliva volume.... Read more...
Why You Should Stay Away From Sucrose in Fueling Systems
Carbs, Carbs, and More Carbs Fueling performance without sacrificing your teeth Endurance athletes live on carbohydrates. Long rides, marathon blocks, interval sessions, race days — they all depend on a steady stream of sugar to keep the engine running. Glucose. Fructose. Maltodextrin. Gels. Drink mixes. Chews. From a performance standpoint, this is smart fueling. From a dental standpoint, it can quietly create the perfect storm for cavities. Let’s break it down simply — starting with what carbs actually are, and then connecting the dots to what’s happening inside your mouth... Read more...