Sports Dentistry and World Sports Dentistry Day

Author: Elif Gündüz Bayer

This year, June 25 has been recognized as World Sports Dentistry Day through the joint decision of international sports dentists from different countries around the world. This special day aims to raise awareness of the importance of oral health in athletes and to highlight the contribution of sports dentistry to athlete health, safety, and performance.

Today, sports dentistry extends far beyond the treatment of dental trauma. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it supports athletes' overall health, enhances performance, and promotes their long-term health throughout and beyond their sporting careers.

Good oral health is an important determinant of athletic performance. Periodontal diseases and oral infections may contribute to systemic inflammation, potentially impairing physical performance, recovery, balance, and cognitive function. Therefore, regular dental examinations, effective oral hygiene, proper nutrition, and adequate hydration are essential components of athlete health.

One of the primary roles of sports dentistry is the prevention of oral and orofacial injuries. Custom-made athletic mouthguards have been shown to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of sports-related dental trauma.

Technological advances have also expanded the scope of sports dentistry. Smart mouthguards equipped with embedded sensors can monitor head impacts, biomechanical parameters, hydration status, and salivary biomarkers. These technologies are increasingly being used in elite sports for athlete monitoring, injury risk assessment, and return-to-play decision-making.

In recent years, growing attention has also been given to the relationship between dental occlusion, posture, and athletic performance. Some studies suggest that occlusal splints and customized mouthguards may improve balance, muscle activity, and movement efficiency. However, further high-quality research is needed to confirm these effects.

As research on female athletes continues to expand, the influence of hormonal fluctuations on oral health, periodontal tissues, and temporomandibular joint function is becoming better understood. These findings further emphasize the importance of personalized dental care within sports medicine.

World Sports Dentistry Day reminds us that athlete health extends beyond the musculoskeletal system. Oral health is an integral component of athletic performance, safety, and quality of life. Today, sports dentistry has become an indispensable part of comprehensive athlete care, contributing to injury prevention, health promotion, and performance optimization.