Tackle dental health of professional footballers to improve everyone’s performance

Nearly four out of 10 UK top flight footballers have active tooth decay, while one in 20 has irreversible gum disease.

That’s according to a study, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

And it’s affecting performance and wellbeing say the experts, led by Professor Ian Needleman, from the International Centre for Evidence-Based Oral Health at University College London.

The authors are now calling for regular dental screening to be a part of routine medical care in professional football, together with an increased emphasis on simple effective preventive approaches to help athletes look after their teeth and gums.

But Melonie Prebble, secretary of the British Association of Dental Therapists, believes much more needs to be done to raise awareness among young men generally about the impact of poor dental health on not just sports performance, but overall health, too.

She said: “The dental profession is acutely aware that dental health affects quality of life and this study simply confirms and reinforces the message. The football industry must obviously now ensure players receive consistent dental screening, preventive advice and treatment to ensure their wellbeing. But there also needs to be a clampdown on sports drinks and an emphasis on rehydration and remineralisation via other, more health friendly drinks.