A new report released on June 25 highlights the impact of oral health on athlete performance, suggesting that good dental care could play a significant role in sports outcomes. The report, titled 'Winning margins: The impact of oral health on athlete performance,' was published by the Economist Enterprise and commissioned by the European Federation of Periodontology, with support from Curasept.
The study examines how oral health can influence success in sports through various mechanisms. Professor Nicola West, EFP officer, said, "However, oral health is a key factor that is often overlooked, despite growing evidence that deficits can drive inflammation in the body." West also stated that current evidence suggests an interaction between oral health and athletic success.
Fabian Marc Hürzeler, head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion football club and interviewed for the report, said too many athletes "continue to underestimate the importance of oral health in sport, especially compared to areas like nutrition... There's a clear imbalance in how we prioritize these factors." British Olympic medallist Kate Shortman echoed this sentiment: "One thing that needs to change is awareness—oral health isn't always seen as a priority in elite sport, even though it can have an important impact on performance and overall health."
Key findings detail how issues such as oral inflammation may affect systemic inflammation throughout the body; poor dental conditions can impair nutrition; and dental pain may harm both physical and psychological states as well as quality of life. Risks specific to certain sports environments are also discussed—for example, poorly controlled swimming pools potentially leading to tooth erosion or staining.
The report encourages raising awareness about integrating oral hygiene into general wellness routines for athletes. Professor Moritz Kebschull said teams should include sports dentistry alongside other medical support, because "evidence shows that oral health presents an opportunity to prevent injuries and improve outcomes." Elizabeth Sukkar from Economist Enterprise added that embedding dental care into training programs could help athletes perform better and recover more effectively.
In its conclusion, the report calls for further research into measuring how dental conditions affect athletic achievement. Professor Anton Sculean emphasized collective action at all levels—from individuals up through organizations—to harness good dental care for improved results. EFP president Mia Rakić concluded by stating these principles are relevant not only for athletes but for everyone.
