Athlete Nutrition and Oral and Dental Health in Athletes: Effects on Performance and Preventive Measures

Öz

Athlete nutrition plays a critical role in improving athletic performance by directly affecting energy production, endurance and recovery processes. However, it is known that athlete nutrition has negative effects especially on oral and dental health. According to research, 15-89% of athletes have tooth decay, 36-85% have tooth erosion and 15-78% have periodontal disease, and 5-18% of elite athletes report that oral health problems negatively affect their performance. The main factors that threaten oral and dental health in athletes are; diet, inadequate oral hygiene, increased oxidative stress related to sports and decreased salivary flow rate. This review examines current recommendations for athlete nutrition and the effects of these nutritional strategies on oral and dental health. The aim of the study is to help athletes, dentists and nutritionists better understand the relationship between athlete nutrition and oral health and to develop strategies to prevent nutrition-related dental diseases. In addition, preventive approaches that can be applied to improve oral health are discussed and suggestions are presented so that athletes can protect both their physical performance and general health.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Athletes
• Sports Nutrition
• Sports Drinks
• Oral Health
• Dental Health

Sporcu Beslenmesi ve Sporcularda Ağız ve Diş Sağlığı: Performansa Etkileri ve Koruyucu Önlemler

Öz

Sporcu beslenmesi; enerji üretimi, dayanıklılık ve toparlanma süreçlerini doğrudan etkileyerek atletik performansın artırılmasında kritik bir rol oynar. Bununla birlikte, sporcu beslenmesinin özellikle ağız ve diş sağlığı üzerinde olumsuz etkiler oluşturduğu bilinmektedir. Yapılan araştırmalara göre sporcuların %15-89’unda diş çürüğü, %36-85’inde diş erozyonu ve %15-78’inde periodontal hastalık görülmekte olup, elit sporcuların %5-18’i ağız sağlığındaki problemlerin performanslarını olumsuz etkilediğini bildirmiştir. Sporcularda ağız ve diş sağlığını tehdit eden başlıca faktörler; beslenme düzeni, ağız hijyeninin yeterli sağlanamayışı, spor ile ilişkili artan oksidatif stres ve tükürük akış hızının azalmasıdır. Bu derleme, sporcu beslenmesine dair güncel önerileri ve bu beslenme stratejilerinin ağız ve diş sağlığı üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektedir. Çalışmanın amacı, sporcuların, diş hekimlerinin ve diyetisyenlerin sporcu beslenmesi ile ağız sağlığı arasındaki ilişkiyi daha iyi anlamalarına yardımcı olmak ve beslenmeye bağlı diş hastalıklarını önlemeye yönelik stratejiler geliştirmektir. Ayrıca, ağız sağlığını iyileştirmek için uygulanabilecek önleyici yaklaşımlar ele alınarak, sporcuların hem fiziksel performanslarını hem de genel sağlıklarını koruyabilmeleri adına öneriler sunulmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• ağız sağlığı
• diş sağlığı
• Sporcu
• sporcu beslenmesi
• sporcu içecekleri

Kaynakça

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