Congratulations to everyone who took part in #winterolympics2026

While we thoroughly admired the talent and enjoyed the amazing performance of the athletes we were very happy when we spotted great protection for the #winterolypians2026 smiles. e.g. mouthguards.

Not necessarily in use where many would consider ‘contact’ sports (classically where mouthguards are mandated).

Mouth care matters. Early talent. Practiced to perfection. Every day.

An #Olympic #curler (amongst other elite athletes #rugby #cricket) speaking at a #UKsportsdentistryconference a few years back spoke not only about the effort, and commitment required to become ‘elite’ but about the immediacy of looking good after competing for the media. So good reason for taking care of their smiles.

The consistent message the our oral health coach LeighGS took away from these athletes sharing their experience of #sportsdentistry was how they didn’t realise the importance of mouth care and oral health until there was a problem which impacted their performance. Not sure what we mean? Search dental impact on elite athletes.

Bespoke, professionally fitted mouthguards aren’t just for Olympians. Accidents happen – not just in contact sports! Reducing the risk of #dentaltrauma has far reaching benefits for your smile.

Healthy foundations – e.g. healthy teeth and gums reduce inflammation and can enhance performance. The difference between gold or silver? There is an ever increasing body of evidence both in dental and sports evidence based journals indicating the mouth is often overlooked in relation to its impact on fitness and performance. Higher rates of tooth decay, gum disease and tooth wear have all been recorded amongst elite athletes. Competition cycles, sport requirements (e.g. weight essentials), media demands, access to professional dental care that fits with training and travel schedules have all been flagged as impacting the oral health of elite athletes.

Wearing a mouthguard is just one aspect of mouth care (in some cases the only one) that pops up on the elite athlete radar. A mouthguard is more that having one that fits, but also taking care of said mouthguard AND what’s underneath every day. Oral health coach LeighGS has spent a fair bit of time in various sporting environments over the years and the consistent missing link appears to be coaching for oral health.

Notably team medics discussing the importance of ‘wearing’ a mouthguard including those with ‘smart technology’ appear unsure about their care. That includes how to help athletes become ‘comfortable’ wearing the mouthguard. It has been reported #athletes remove mouthguards and pop them down a sock or other accessible location on the body! Hardly an ideal scenario and often only hindsight raises the issue of consistent wear and care. When asked about tips for ensuring consistent wear and general oral health coaching there seems to be a void in knowledge.

And an opportunity for those in the know to help athletes? Often young, living away from home for significant periods of time, focused on developing skills and performance. Their smile beyond the superficial media appearance just don’t appear on the elite radar. Mouth and oral health are often assumed as a ‘home care skill’ and not a priority for overall health and wellbeing. WHAT GOES INTO and WHAT GOES ON in your mouth matters. Beyond having a great smile for the media.

Oral health extends far beyond the mouth. More so if that environment is challenged beyond the norm on a daily basis e.g. dehydration/dry mouth. The whole mouth including #mouthguards #aligners #retainers #denture #sleepappliance etc requires regular and effective self care. Sports mouthguards need to worn and cared for – not stuck in your pocket or kit bag until next time! Sound familiar ,this oral self care thing? Yep – not just the 1%ers need mouth care training built into their daily routine.

Speaking to coaches and athletes, the importance of oral health is a chunk of missing information. It’s not just about having access to a dentist/dental professional. Prevention and oral health is based on daily healthy habits. A bit like training?

Just one example what is available in the way of elite athlete development… look at all that is offered. Searching across the UK and beyond similar programmes are available. Similar offerings across professional sport e.g #Football. Is there dental/oral health care input? Is it taken seriously? Valued?

As often is the case in dentistry a focus on ‘treatment’ over coaching for prevention and promoting oral health for overall health and wellbeing.

Chronic tooth sensitivity with cold weather sports e.g. #ice-skating. weight control for #boxing or #gymnastics, #nicotine patch use in professional #football, #vaping… all opportunities to support athletes oral health, overall health and wellbeing and potentially performance.

Research has increased dramatically since the publications following the #London2012 Olympics but are the finding being translated into action? These athletes need to ‘up their game’ to maintain thier smile for life. They need that extra level of care to counteract the extra challenges experienced as an elite athlete. There are many ‘easy wins’ e.g. high fluoride toothpaste use and remineralising products but as we say far too often at Growing Smiles – you don’t know what you don’t know. Prevention isn’t sexy but it is effective and can make a difference to performance and confidence.

Contact us at info@growingsmiles.co.uk for more information and book a coaching session with our oral health coach LeighGS.

If you are an athlete, coach or work with elite sports the following will be useful.

You don’t need to be an #Olympian take care of your smile. Your mouth should be fit for the life you lead. The basics are the same for all of us. Eat well, clean well and keep/be well. It’s not just oral hygiene to consider.

Interested in learning more?

A good place to start is the work of Professor Ian Needleman who leads the Centre for Oral Health and Performance which was awarded recognition by the International Olympic Committee as part of the UK Research Centre for prevention of injury and protection of athlete health.

Back to those mouthguards! Appliances should be cleaned regularly and effectively and stored safely. Whether you just take a brush and soap to clean every surface or use an ultrasonic bath to keep your mouthguard in shape know there are options!

Learn more here.

DrMarks Sports Hygienie kit is one option. Spray to before popping in cage attached to kit bag to keep mouthguard safe and secure.