It is evident that poor dental hygiene leads to common dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. These problems are becoming more prevalent due to the added effects of an unhealthy lifestyle. However, the extent of this impact seems less well known, as it has been negatively linked to sporting performance and a number of health conditions.

One recent study found that brushing your teeth could help to prevent arthritis, as those with gum disease in particular have an increased prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis. But how can gum disease lead to the chronic joint inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis?

Evidence shows that arthritis has been linked to a bacterium (porphyromonas) which produces an enzyme (peptidylarginine deiminase or PAD) that changes proteins in the body to citrulline, which the body recognises as an intruder. This leads to an immune attack in the body, which subsequently results in chronic inflammation that occurs in arthritis. In other terms, PAD may cause the mechanistic connection between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and so good dental hygiene is essential to prevent a build-up of PAD to reduce the development arthritis. Although this research is relatively new, it highlights the potential health risk posed by poor oral hygiene in the earlier onset, faster progression and greater severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Poor dental hygiene has also been linked to a number of other health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and stroke to name a few. This is thought to be due to systemic inflammation associated with problems such as gum disease, which can also lower quality of life in diagnosed individuals. It is vital to look after our oral health as a simple way to reduce these health risks, as well as improving our overall health and wellbeing.

Interestingly, from a performance perspective, many athletes have poor oral health. This is often attributed to their reduced immune function, intensive training schedule and high carbohydrate diet, which is required to provide them with sufficient energy for training and competition. However, many athletes also lack awareness of the importance of oral hygiene and the potentially detrimental effects it may have on their sporting performance.

One study found that many elite athletes who competed in the London 2012 Olympic Games had poor oral health. High levels of tooth decay, dental erosion, and periodontal disease were found amongst the athletes. Of the athletes surveyed, 18% felt that their oral health was negatively affecting their performance and it seems astounding that poor dental hygiene could compromise years of sporting preparation when many of these problems are common and preventable. Researchers suggested that poor oral health can lead to pain, systemic inflammation, and reduced self-confidence and quality of life, which can all negatively affect sporting performance. The findings from this study highlights the importance of good oral hygiene among sportsmen and sportswomen, not only to enhance their sporting performance but also to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Good oral health is important for everyone and there are simple guidelines to follow to improve dental hygiene, from brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day to flossing, using mouthwash, and having regular check-ups at the dentist. There are also added benefits from leading a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet, not smoking and limiting alcohol intake. The importance of good dental hygiene is often underestimated but it is essential for our overall health and performance.

Ultimately, prevention is better than cure and by practicing good dental hygiene we can help reduce the risk of developing a number of health conditions along with improving our overall health, wellbeing and performance.

Adie Blanchard – Researcher

References

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DeStefano, F., Anda, R. F., Kahn, H. S., Williamson, D. F., & Russell, C. M. (1993). Dental disease and risk of coronary heart disease and mortality. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 306(6879), 688.

Mail Online. (2014). Clean teeth can hold off arthritis: scientists discover link between gum disease bacteria and early onset of the condition. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2566343/Clean-teeth-hold-arthritis-Scientists-discover-link-gum-disease-bacteria-early-onset-condition.html [Accessed: 25 Feb 2014].

Maresz, K. J., Hellvard, A., Sroka, A., Adamowicz, K., Bielecka, E. et al. (2013). Porphyromonas gingivalis facilitates the development and progression of destructive arthritis through its unique bacterial peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD). PLoS pathogens, 9(9), e1003627.

Needleman, I., Ashley, P., Petrie, A., Fortune, F., Turner, W. et al. (2013). Oral health and impact on performance of athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympic Games: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(16), 1054-1058.

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