How oral health influences sports performance: What every athlete should know
By Shaira Kasi
Oral health plays a crucial role in athletic strength, stamina and recovery, yet many athletes are unaware of its impact. In this article, Parla House of Dentistry explains how maintaining a healthy mouth can directly support better performance and overall well-being.
For many expats in the Netherlands, sports become an important part of building a new life; from joining running clubs and fitness communities to participating in competitive leagues. What many athletes, both amateur and professional, don’t realise is that oral health can significantly influence athletic performance.
Recent insights from sports dentistry have highlighted that a healthy mouth is more than just a nice smile: it is a measurable contributor to strength, endurance, injury prevention and overall well-being.
The mouth as a performance factor
Sports dentistry has grown rapidly over the past decade, partly due to observations from Olympic medical teams.
Across several international events, researchers noted that a surprising number of elite athletes suffered from preventable oral problems, including gum inflammation, enamel erosion, cavities and jaw issues. These problems may seem minor, yet studies increasingly show that even low-grade oral inflammation can influence muscle function, energy levels and recovery.
Athletes demand a lot from their bodies. When oral health is compromised, the immune system diverts resources to fight chronic inflammation, leaving less capacity for peak performance.
Athletes may experience:
- Reduced strength output
- Increased fatigue
- Prolonged recovery
- Greater susceptibility to injuries
For expats navigating demanding training schedules while adapting to a new country and new routines, recognising the mouth–body connection can make a tangible difference.
Dry mouth: The “unseen opponent” in sports
Intense training stimulates adrenaline, reduces saliva flow and encourages mouth breathing. Combined with frequent use of sports drinks, which are often acidic and sugar-containing, this creates an ideal environment for cavities and enamel wear.
Saliva, often referred to as “the Olympic gold of the mouth”, naturally neutralises acids, protects enamel and supports tissue repair. When saliva levels drop, the athlete’s mouth becomes more vulnerable.
This is particularly important in the Netherlands, where many expats take up endurance sports such as cycling, running and swimming. Long durations of exertion can leave the mouth dry for extended periods, increasing the risk of erosion without athletes even noticing.
The effect of sports drinks and nutrition
Many sports drinks are acidic and high in simple carbohydrates. While they quickly replenish energy and electrolytes, they also promote enamel erosion and feed bacteria in the mouth. Even “healthy” alternatives, like certain protein bars or gels, can stick to the teeth and create similar risks.
Athletes who use these products regularly, especially without proper rinsing or hydration, are statistically more prone to dental issues. Over time, small lesions or inflamed gums can affect comfort, confidence, and biomechanical efficiency.
Breathing technique, jaw stability and performance
Oral health also influences the mechanics of breathing and muscular coordination. Inflammation in the gums or tension in the jaw joints can alter an athlete’s natural bite and posture, potentially leading to headaches, neck strain or reduced oxygen intake during heavy training.
Several sports dentists involved in major international tournaments have emphasised that stabilising the bite can improve neuromuscular function. Some athletes use custom mouthguards, not just for protection, but to support a balanced jaw position, which can enhance strength output and reduce injury risk.
Swimming: A unique challenge
Swimming is a popular sport among expats, but chlorinated water creates a specific oral health risk. Frequent exposure to improperly balanced pool water may shift the mouth’s pH, leading to enamel erosion often referred to as “swimmer’s calculus”.
Competitive swimmers and triathletes are disproportionately affected. Using fluoridated products, maintaining good hydration and having regular check-ups can help mitigate these risks.
Professional insights: Patterns seen among elite athletes
Sports dentists working with top-tier athletes, including Olympic competitors, consistently observe similar patterns:
- High prevalence of gum problems
- Erosion from acidic nutrition and training environments
- Jaw tension linked to stress and performance pressure
- Increased cavity risk due to frequent snacking during training
Treatment and prevention often lead to measurable improvements in comfort, recovery and overall performance. These insights now inform best practices across sports medicine globally.
In the Netherlands, more dental clinics are becoming familiar with the specific needs of competitive athletes. Practices that regularly treat athletes have noted the same trends: when oral health improves, athletes report better focus, reduced pain, and even improved training outcomes.
What expat athletes can do to protect their oral health
Whether someone plays for fun, trains for a marathon, or competes professionally, these practical steps can help maintain a strong, healthy mouth:
Prioritise preventive check-ups
Athletes can consider more frequent dental visits (e.g., every four months) to monitor erosion, inflammation and early signs of overuse.
Protect saliva flow
Stay hydrated with water, avoid frequent sipping of acidic drinks, and consider sugar-free chewing gum to stimulate saliva secretion.
Use sports nutrition strategically
Consume energy gels or drinks in one go rather than sipping over long periods. Rinse with water afterwards.
Consider a professionally fitted sports mouthguard
These can reduce injury, support jaw stability and improve breathing and posture.
Adapt oral care to training intensity
Fluoride mouthwash, enamel-strengthening toothpaste and pH-neutralising products may be beneficial for high-intensity athletes.
Competitive advantage
Sports and oral health are more deeply connected than most athletes realise. For expats building new routines in the Netherlands, understanding this link is essential not only for preventing dental issues but also for optimising performance and wellbeing.
As insights from sports dentistry continue to grow, including the experience of clinics that regularly treat competitive and elite athletes, one thing is clear: a healthy smile can be a competitive advantage.
For expats settling into life in the Netherlands, understanding the connection between oral health and overall well-being can make daily routines healthier and more comfortable. Parla House of Dentistry provides expert, personalised care to support your long-term oral health. Contact them today to book your appointment.
Shaira Kasi