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 fueling
During long training sessions and races, athletes rely on carbohydrate-rich gels, chews, and sports drinks to maintain performance. Unfortunately, frequent exposure to fermentable carbohydrates fuels cariogenic bacteria, leading to enamel demineralization [1–2, 5].

Acidic sports drinks
Sports beverages are not only high in sugar but also acidic. Sipping them over hours increases the risk of both caries and erosion by maintaining an acidic environment in the mouth [2, 6–7].

Reduced saliva flow during exercise
Intense training often causes dehydration and heavy breathing. This lowers salivary flow and reduces the mouth’s natural buffering capacity, leaving teeth more vulnerable to decay [5, 8].

Oral hygiene challenges
Even when athletes report good hygiene practices, studies show plaque control may be suboptimal. Combined with busy training schedules that push dental visits aside, this increases the chance of untreated cavities [3–4, 7].

How to Protect Your Teeth as an Athlete

When I counsel athletes in my practice, I emphasize a prevention-first approach:

  1. Fuel smarter –Avoid sipping sports drinks continuously but when you can, mix in a sip of water to raise the pH in your mouth [1, 5].

  2. Elevate oral hygiene – Brush twice daily with a fluoride or Nanohydroxyappetite toothpaste, floss regularly, and consider fluoride rinses [7].

  3. Hydrate strategically – Rinse with water after carbohydrate intake; chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva [6, 8].

  4. Commit to regular checkups – Biannual visits allow early detection and management of cavities and erosion [3–4].

  5. Educate and prepare – Athletes, coaches, and teams should understand these risks to support consistent preventive behaviors [6, 9].

Where Athladent Fits In

Because endurance athletes face unique dental challenges, I recommend products designed with their needs in mind. Athladent provides:

  • Remineralization (Fluoride/Nanohydroxyappetite): Strengthens enamel and dentin to defend against repeated acid challenges.

  • Low abrasivity (RDA <30): Cleans effectively without adding unnecessary wear to enamel.

  • Gentle, SLS-free surfactant: Reduces irritation and mouth sores that can affect training consistency.

  • Protective natural extracts: Green tea, black tea, and grape seed extracts help reinforce the salivary pellicle and add an extra layer of protection.

Athladent bridges the gap between performance fueling and oral protection, giving athletes a daily tool to reduce cavity risk and maintain peak oral health.

Final Word from the Dental Chair

Endurance athletes dedicate themselves to rigorous training and nutrition. Oral health should be part of that same commitment. By combining smart prevention strategies with athlete-focused products like Athladent, you can significantly lower your risk of cavities and protect your smile for the long run.

References

  1. Needleman I, Ashley P, Petrie A, et al. Oral health and impact on performance of athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Br J Sports Med. 2013;47(16):1054–1058.

  2. Bryant S, McLaughlin K, Morgaine K, Drummond B. Elite athletes and oral health. Int J Sports Med. 2011;32(9):720–724.

  3. Ashley P, Di Iorio A, Cole E, Tanday A, Needleman I. Oral health of elite athletes and association with performance: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(1):14–19.

  4. Needleman I, Ashley P, Fine P, et al. Oral health and elite sport performance. Br Dent J. 2015;219(10):513–516.

  5. Walsh LJ. Preventive dentistry for the general dental practitioner. Aust Dent J. 2000;45(2):76–82.

  6. Milosevic A. Sports drinks hazard to teeth. Br J Sports Med. 1997;31(1):28–30.

  7. Chadzynski L, Pradel W, Lussi A, Carvalho TS. Dental erosion in athletes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2021;51(3):543–559.

  8. Wolff A, Joshi RK, Ekström J, Aframian D, Pedersen AM, Proctor G, Narayana N, Villa A, Sia YW, Aliko A. A guide to medications inducing salivary gland dysfunction, xerostomia, and subjective sialorrhea: a systematic review. Drugs R D. 2017;17(1):1–28.

  9. Gallagher J, Ashley P. Oral health advice for elite athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(1):17–21.