In a study conducted by the School of Dental Medicine at the University Hospital in Heidelberg Germany, researchers analyzed the teeth of triathletes who put in at least 10 hours of training per week, and determined that the harder the triathletes worked, the more acidic their saliva became and - unsurprisingly - the worse their levels of tooth erosion.
Add to this dilemma the carbohydrates and sugars in sports drinks and protein and power bars that athletes often consume before and after working out, and their mouths now become a perfect environment for cavities to develop. The sugars will feed the decay-causing bacteria. Additionally the lower saliva rates will create a dry mouth condition that makes it harder for your mouth to keep itself clean. This in turn decreases the natural defenses our saliva provides against "bad bacteria". As the mouth becomes drier the concentration of bacteria also increases in the mouth due to the lower volume of available saliva, thus increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. This is sometimes referred to as "runner's mouth" Another factor that plays a role in the erosion of the teeth is the high consumption of power drinks by athletes. Power drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade are not known for having high levels of sugar but the drinks are quite acidic, and it is the acidity that has the potential to cause problems with the teeth. We often see the affects of these highly acidic drinks on teeth in the form of deep pitting of the teeth and erosion of the enamel, and it can be evident in adults and children.
So what is the remedy for runners? Most runners tend to run numerous times a week and this can induce mild levels of dehydration. Staying hydrated even when not exercising is an important preventive measure, and if you are a long distance runner, increasing your salt intake will allow your body to retain more water and potentially improve the salivary flow.
About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.
