Oral Health and Sports
Did you know that 35% of neck and back muscle pain are due to bite disorders? Taking care of your mouth is taking care of your health
It is generally difficult for us to relate our state of oral health to general health, and we are not aware of the impact that poor oral health can have on our body.
Our mouth and its health are closely related to the musculoskeletal system and with organs as important as the heart, liver, stomach and lungs.
The bacteria that cause a dental infection pass into the general circulation of the blood, and may be involved in the origin of diseases such as diabetes, or digestive, respiratory, muscular, joint and / or cardiovascular problems.
Did you know that, months before the Olympics, all gymnasts have undergone exhaustive oral health checks?
That is, oral conditions act directly or indirectly in our bodies, affecting both amateur and elite athletes. That is why to optimize our sports performance, whatever our level, it is very important to pay attention to our oral health.
When we neglect our oral hygiene, bacterial plaque appears which, along with tooth decay or gum disease, offers a free way for bacteria to spread throughout the rest of our body.
This can lead to alterations in the contraction-relaxation of the muscle, causing a sensation of fatigue and joint inflammation, making it easier for muscle and tendon tears and pain to occur. Normally, the person who suffers from them, as they are places far from the oral cavity, does not usually relate to them, which makes the problem persist over time.
On the other hand, the absence of teeth produces alterations in indigestion, as the mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. If the food is not chewed normally, the stomach exerts more energy for slower digestion. This leads to poor nutrition, as well as deterioration in general health and performance during physical activity.
Good oral health habits
So remember oral health & sports go hand in hand. If you have a muscle disorder that resists the passage of time, that seems chronic, and does not go away no matter how much you do physical therapy sessions, go to your dentist and get a check-up, you may be surprised.
Remember that the small habits that we can easily acquire, such as brushing our teeth daily, flossing, and going to your dentist regularly, have great benefits in our state of health, both oral and general, in addition to helping us to practice our favorite sport in a much more successful way.
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