Regular consumption of sugary fizzy drinks, as well as those that boost energy and performance, could lead to tooth decay and gum disease in teenage professional footballers, a study suggests.
Poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to the dentist could also be to blame, researchers say.
The study, led by University College London (UCL), included 160 academy players aged 16 to 18 from 10 English football clubs across the Premier League, Champions League and Women’s Super League.
They filled out a questionnaire about their oral health and its impact on performance and were assessed by a dentist.
The researchers found that more than three-quarters (76.8%) had gingivitis, a common mild gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums, compared with a prevalence of 40% among 15-year-olds in the UK.
Nearly a quarter (22.5%) showed signs of irreversible periodontitis, a chronic condition where gum disease progresses beyond gingivitis.
Nearly a third of the teens (31.2%) had significant cavities that required treatment, compared to 24% of 15-year-olds.
15.5% of the players had moderate to severe tooth wear, meaning the teeth had begun to wear away at the enamel.
This could be caused by acid in the diet, clenching and grinding due to stress, eating disorders or acid reflux.
About one in five players had not been to the dentist in more than two years.
About 76% said they brushed twice a day, but only 5% said they flossed daily.
Nine in 10 players said they drank sports drinks, including 23% who said they drank them every day.
More than half (53.1%) said they drank carbonated beverages.
Professor Peter Fine, of the University College London Eastman Institute of Dental Research, said: “Dental and oral health are often disconnected from other areas of medicine, and this is also true in English football academies.
“Despite some progress at the highest level of the game, oral health is still not covered by athlete healthcare, and athletes are often left to seek dental care on their own.”
According to the findings published in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, academics are calling for greater promotion of oral health at football academy level.
Professor Fine added: “Academy players under the age of 18 should have access to free NHS dental treatment, but they do not always receive this service, and preventive oral health information is not regularly included in player welfare.
“Providing care early and developing good oral hygiene habits could make a difference, but there is also the question of who else has a duty of care beyond medical teams and clubs, such as the Football Association and the government.”
Dr Saul Konvisser, also from UCL Eastman Dental Institute, said: “Academies play a key role in shaping the lives of young footballers and we believe they have the opportunity to help develop healthy attitudes to oral health from an early age.
“This includes emphasising preventive measures such as limiting sugar and acid intake, establishing good oral hygiene habits such as using high-fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, and encouraging regular dental checks in addition to pre-season screenings.
“These measures can help prevent or even reverse poor oral health and avoid lifelong consequences.”
Responding to the findings, Eddie Crouch, president of the British Dental Association, said: “This research clearly illustrates the harms that energy drinks can cause to patients.
“Whether it is elite athletes or our children, highly addictive, highly acidic drinks containing more than 20 teaspoons of sugar should be banned.”
Related topics:
