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It’s stating the obvious to say that Aussies really love their sport. Whether as weekend athletes, elite sports stars, or avid spectators, many of us are consumed by some sort of sporting competition each weekend. However, if we prefer to be on the field rather than barracking from the sidelines, how do we protect our prosthetic devices – partial dentures, full dentures or implants - or our natural teeth, from injury or breakage?
Safety and protection
For most sporting codes, long experience has put in place necessary measures and protocols for general player safety. Think helmets with face guards in cricket, for example. Or head impact and concussion protocols to prevent exposing players of contact sports to long term brain injuries.[i] However, there is an extra layer of consideration for denture wearing athletes. Injury prevention strategies must be prioritised in the form of specialised mouthguards and other preventative measures such as removal and safe storage of delicate dentures before playing sport. Consult your prosthetist for appropriate guidance on custom-made mouthguards, their protective properties and their costs and benefits, so they can fabricate and provide properly fitted mouthguards to minimise the risks of oral injury in sports.[ii]
Performance and comfort focus
Wearing a mouthguard allows an athlete to confidently focus on performance without the worry of injury or damage to natural teeth, or expensive prosthetics. For those who are concerned about how mouthguards might adversely affect athletic performance, a systematic review found the use of mouthguards did not generally impair athletic performance and custom-made mouthguards demonstrated the smallest range of change in performance compared to other mouthguards.[iii] In high impact or contact sports like boxing for example, removal and safe storage of prosthetic devices where possible, along with customised mouthguards, provides the best protection and peace of mind, allowing the athlete to concentrate on their sport.
SCUBA divers and dentures
Each sporting activity carries different risks for denture wearers. For SCUBA divers with full dentures – that is upper or lower or both, there is a high risk of aspiration. This simply means a dislodged denture can cause you to choke. Not something you want to happen when you’re fathoms deep. This is especially the case for the lower denture which is more difficult to secure even with denture adhesive, and which may be dislodged with the compression of tongue, cheek and lip muscles. Although the upper denture is more stable than the lower, when you inhale through the regulator, low pressure areas can be created with the danger of the denture being sucked away from the palate and forced into the back of the throat. This is called Bernoulli’s Principal.[iv]
If you choose to dive without your dentures, you will probably need a specialised regulator which doesn’t require teeth to hold it in place. While partial dentures are usually more secure, those with metal clasps could be especially difficult to remove if aspirated. Better to leave them on the boat.
Extreme sports and dentures
Extreme sports like skydiving, jetboating, even roller-coaster riding can still be enjoyed with full dentures if they fit snugly and are well secured by adhesive. For others, like bungee jumping, caution should be exercised particularly for full dentures which can become dislodged and lost. There is less risk for those with well-fitting partial dentures or implants.
High impact sports
This category includes some of the football codes, or running and snowboarding, for example. As the name ‘High Impact’ suggests, the skeletal jolts incurred and the increased probability of accidental falls, collisions and bumps to the face, may dislodge and damage dentures. For sports like boxing, where facial impacts are a certainty, any prosthetic devices should be removed to prevent oral tissue damage and destruction of the prosthetic. Customised mouthguards protect remaining natural teeth and oral tissues from damage caused by impact.
Tips for denture-wearing athletes
Protect your mouth and dentures
- Invest in, and wear a customised mouthguard
- Use protective storage for dentures when out of your mouth
- Practise a good oral hygiene regime
- If you choose to wear your dentures during water activities, use denture adhesive to prevent slippage
- Remove and safely store dentures when engaging in high impact sports
Adopt a well-balanced diet
- Avoid over consumption of carbs/sugars like those in energy drinks
- Balance your macro nutrients
- Eat a wide variety of whole rather than processed foods
Stay well hydrated
- Keep water on hand for sips during breaks in the game or activity
Nutrition and Hydration
A healthy body enables optimal athletic performance. Proper nutrition and adequate hydration are essential elements for both athletic performance and oral health and preserving your denture as well.
Nutrition
Why is it important for denture-wearing athletes, especially those in elite sports, to maintain a nutrient rich diet for good oral health? Because poor dental hygiene and poor oral health affects not only athletic performance, but may also compromise performance by impacting on overall health.[i] Poor oral health in athletes has been attributed to oxidative stress and inadequate oral hygiene.[ii] Studies report a concerning prevalence of oral diseases in elite athletes. These include “dental caries 20–84%, dental erosion 42–59%, gingivitis 58–77%, and periodontal disease 15–41%, caused by frequent consumption of sugars/carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats, or deficient protein intake.” [iii]
Hydration
Insufficient fluid intake can lead to dehydration, contributing to ‘dry mouth’ suffered by many denture wearers, so keeping hydrated is especially important to maintain the fit and comfort of dentures. The physical exertion demanded by sporting activities or exposure to heat may initiate dehydration leading to temporary dry mouth as fluids are prioritised away from the salivary glands.[iv] Saliva keeps your mouth moist, assisting with the digestion of food, good suction to keep the denture securely in place, and keeping the oral microbiome healthy. Without saliva, talking and eating can be difficult.
Therefore, for optimal sporting performance, adopting a well-balanced diet and taking frequent sips of water during sporting activity is essential, thus maintaining a healthy body and the healthiest and most comfortable oral environment for denture wearers.
Playing sports with dentures made simple
Playing sport at all levels is a great Australian pastime. Many avid sportspeople are also denture wearers which is why we have suggested the these tips to keep you and your dentures safe and comfortable, allowing you to enjoy and achieve at the top of your performance. We have examined the elements like protection for your mouth and dentures, nutrition and hydration towards optimal health and therefore, best performance.
References
[i] https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1133994/37382_Concussion-Guidelines-for-community-and-youth-FA-acc-v2.pdf
[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002817714648029
[iii] Ferreira GB, Guimarães LS, Fernandes CP, Dias RB, Coto NP, Antunes LAA, Antunes LS. Is there enough evidence that mouthguards do not affect athletic performance? A systematic literature review. Int Dent J. 2019 Feb;69(1):25-34. doi: 10.1111/idj.12406. Epub 2018 May 29. PMID: 29808910; PMCID: PMC9379066.
[iv] https://www.sciencing.com/bernoullis-principle-definition-equation-examples-13723388/
[v] https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/a-comprehensive-review-sports-nutrition-and-oral-health-among-athletes-105729.html#:~:text=This%20comprehensive%20review%20aims%20to%20explore%20the%20multifaceted,for%20oral%20health%20outcomes%20and%20athletic%20performance%20%5B1%5D.
[vi] Schulze A, Busse M. Sports Diet and Oral Health in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Feb 13;60(2):319. doi: 10.3390/medicina60020319. PMID: 38399605; PMCID: PMC10890155.
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
