A healthy dose of physical activity is essential to help our children grow strong and stay in shape. And let’s be hones – how proud does it make us feel to see them sprinting across the soccer field, gliding through the pool like little dolphins, or sinking a perfect basketball shot?
But when we focus on their health during sports, there’s one often-overlooked aspect that deserves attention: the health of their mouth, teeth, and gums.
No matter what the sport, or what the level of ability: teeth need care and attention both during and outside of physical activity. It would be a real shame to have to miss a training session — or worse still, a competition or a match — because a cavity forces us to take our little champion to the dentist!
The risks to dental health during sports are many, and some are not immediately obvious.
Watch Out for Energy Drinks
During training sessions, it is common practice to consume large quantities of energy drinks. If this habit is unhealthy for adults, it is even more so for children: these drinks, although rich in electrolytes, contain high levels of sugars — the primary enemies of oral health.
Energy drinks, being extremely sweet and often brightly coloured, can be particularly appealing to children. Unfortunately, these products very frequently have an acidic pH, meaning that when consumed regularly, the teeth are exposed for extended periods to acidic conditions that cause permanent damage to the enamel.
Micro-Lesions in the Mouth
Even during sports that appear relatively harmless for dental health, our young athletes may engage in habits that are less than ideal. How many times have we seen them open a snack wrapper with their teeth because their hands were occupied or too sweaty? Even this can create small lesions that, over time, may lead to more serious damage.
And while seeing our little champions on the podium is always thrilling… biting the gold medal isn’t exactly great for their teeth!
Stress and Bruxism
3 Tips for a Healthy Smile
So, how can we make sure that sports benefit our children’s health – teeth and gums included? Here are three tips to keep their smiles bright:
1. Pay Attention to Nutrition
A healthy and balanced diet not only helps keep our body in shape, but is also fundamental for the dental health of our children. Carbohydrates are the best source of energy for physical activity, but complex carbohydrates are always preferable to simple sugars.
While it is important to balance fluid loss during physical activity, it is equally important to teach our children that water is the best source of hydration. Energy drinks can be useful in replenishing electrolytes lost through perspiration; however, due to their high sugar content and elevated acidity, they should be consumed in moderation — reserved for particularly intense training sessions lasting at least 60 to 90 minutes.
2. Champion-Level Oral Hygiene
Brushing teeth is always important, but even more so for children engaged in physical activity. Their mouths are more vulnerable to harmful bacteria that can cause cavities, gum disease, enamel erosion, and other issues.
Every time food or beverages are consumed, oral pH is altered and the body activates its Buffer System to restore balance. This task is performed by saliva which, thanks to its bicarbonate-based composition, neutralises acids and, under normal conditions, restores the mouth to a neutral pH in approximately 40 minutes.
3. Keep Stress at Bay
We know that stress affects overall health, and oral health is no exception. Too often, we place too much responsibility on children in sports, creating excessive competitiveness that can reduce their enjoyment.
As adults, we must remember that sports should first and foremost be fun and a way for children to release tension. Let them enjoy the activity as a game – their smiles will thank you!
