THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION AT MOUTH AND TOOTH HEALTH PROBLEMS OF ATHLETES

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Mouth and tooth health have an important place to receive the nutrition necessities for the continuation of life. Nutrition, affects mouth health and tooth structure. Most of the nutrition deficiency illnesses (especially vitamin-mineral) show their symptoms in mouth. So Mouth is called as the “door of body”. One of the most important problems that are in mouth is tooth decay. Tooth decay cause important medical problems like infection and pain. Besides tooth decay cause economic and social problems. Although tooth and mouth health have importance over the health of athletes, athletes don’t give importance to mouth and tooth health enough. The effects of drinks like energy drink and sports drink (erosive, acidic and cariogenic) that are usually consumed by athletes increase because of the saliva flow decrease that happens with water loss during the exercise and this condition causes tooth cavities. Besides, it causes the increase of injuries that athletes don’t use mouth protector during the trainings or competitions (especially at some sports branches). Dentists and dieticians should educate athletes and trainers about the treatment and prevention of tooth cavity, the usage of mouth protector, and the wounds of face that might happen during the trainings or competitions.

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Mouth health , nutrition , tooth problems , health of athletes

Acta Odontologica Turcica

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Acta Odontologica Turcica