March 29, 2025, 2:12 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Lots of training, lots of energy — but what is often overlooked is that those who exercise regularly should pay even more attention to their dental health. Certain eating habits and physical reactions during training play a role here.
An isotonic drink after training or a quick energy bar on the go — such carbohydrate-rich snacks are essential for many athletes to maintain their performance. However, according to the ProDente initiative, this practical sports nutrition can have negative consequences for dental health in the long term. FITBOOK examines why athletes often have bad teeth.
Overview of
Sports Nutrition: Quick Energy with Side Effects
Whether it’s a half marathon or a racing bike session — if you train for a long time, you need a supply of energy and minerals along the way. This is why isotonic drinks, gels, or bars are used, which quickly provide carbohydrates. But this is precisely where dental health is at risk.
Inadequate Dental Care
According to ProDente, many of these products contain sugar and acids. The sugar is converted into acid by caries bacteria. These acids, in turn, remove important minerals from the tooth enamel and attack its structure. In the long term, this can lead to tooth decay.
Numerous bacteria live in the oral cavity — some of which even fulfill important tasks. If dental care is inadequate, these bacteria find an ideal breeding ground in food residues on the teeth and in the spaces between the teeth. The sugar components (carbohydrates) in these residues serve as food for the bacteria and promote their multiplication. The breakdown of sugar produces acids that attack and demineralize the protective tooth enamel.1
Athletes Have Poorer Teeth Due to Breathing and Exercise
A second risk factor arises from the way we breathe during intensive sporting activity. Many people breathe more through their mouths during periods of exertion. This dries out the mucous membranes — with noticeable consequences for dental health.
In addition, the salivary glands are less active due to physical exertion. This means that less saliva is available, which plays a key role in protecting the teeth. It neutralizes acids and helps to store minerals back into damaged tooth enamel.
If this protective function is lacking, the risk of tooth decay increases. Gum inflammation can also develop more quickly under these conditions, as saliva contains antimicrobial substances that maintain the bacterial balance in the mouth.
What the Study Says
As part of a cross-sectional study, 352 elite and professional athletes from various disciplines were examined in order to record their oral health behavior, potential risk factors, and their willingness to change their behavior. In addition to a dental screening, 344 participants completed a supplementary questionnaire.
Although 94.2 percent of the athletes stated that they brushed their teeth at least twice a day, oral diseases were still frequently found. The authors of the study attributed this to the widespread consumption of sports nutrition products, among other things: 80 percent stated that they regularly consumed sports drinks during training or competitions. At the same time, the majority of respondents were open to changes — such as daily plaque removal, improved fluoride supply, and regular visits to the dentist — as long as this improved their health and athletic performance.2
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Athletes Can Protect Their Teeth with Good Care
Despite the risks described above, teeth can be kept healthy with targeted measures — even during regular sporting activities. Careful oral hygiene is crucial.
Daily Brushing
ProDente recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. In addition, an interdental brush should be used once a day to remove plaque, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Athletes should also limit their consumption of sugary and acidic drinks as much as possible and opt for water instead. Sports snacks with a high sugar content should also be consumed with caution.
Sugar-Free Chewing Gum
To counteract dry mouth and promote salivation, ProDente recommends sugar-free chewing gum. This can significantly reduce the negative impact on dental health — even during intensive training sessions. Regular prophylaxis at the dentist with professional teeth cleaning is just as important. This allows dental diseases to be detected at an early stage and, if necessary, treated specifically with caries or periodontitis treatment.
With material from dpa