The Role of Sports Dentistry in Athlete Health and Performance: A Narrative Review
Abstract
Sports dentistry is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diseases and injuries af‐fecting the stomatognathic system within the context of sports and physical activity. Recent research indicates that elite athletes experience ahigh prevalence of dental caries, erosion, trauma, and periodontal disease. These oral health issues may impact both overall health and ath‐letic performance. Therefore, sports dentistry is increasingly recognized as an essential component of sports medicine. Safeguarding ath‐letes' oral health, addressing injuries and pathologies, and enhancing performance necessitate a multidisciplinary approach. A member ofthis multidisciplinary team is the sports dentist. Effective coordination between sports physicians and sports dentists facilitate comprehen‐sive care of the stomatognathic system. This narrative review aims to raise awareness of sports dentistry by exploring its scope and examiningits impact on athlete health and performance in light of current literature.
Keywords: Athlete health, sports dentistry, athletic performance, oral health, multidisciplinary approach