Episode 66: Athletes & Oral Health How Your Teeth Affect Performance

Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (0:04 – 0:51) Welcome to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth, the go-to podcast where curiosity meets dentistry straight from the experts. I’m Eon Engelbrecht and, once again, I’m joined by Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile. We’re about to take another deep dive into the world of dental care from a consumer’s perspective, so if you’re looking to brighten your smile or simply protect your wallet, we’ve got you covered with practical advice and the latest insights – stick around. Today we’re discussing the link between athletes and oral health – how your teeth can actually affect your performance. We all recently watched The Comrades. I’m surprised you didn’t take part, Dr Yudelman! Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (0:52 – 1:26) I know – I hate running. I’m not a runner, though I do have a few running jokes. One goes like this: whenever you see cyclists they usually have a smile on their faces – unless they’re tackling a very steep hill – but runners often look rather grim. The saying is, “Why run so early in the morning? The day can’t get any worse!” Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (1:26 – 1:31) I always say, if you see me running, start running too – something’s chasing us! Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (1:32 – 1:43) Exactly. I once saw a T-shirt: on the front it read “Bomb Disposal Expert”; on the back, “If you see me running, try to keep up.” Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (1:45 – 2:03) Brilliant. Let’s dive in. First question: how does chronic gum disease measurably affect athletic performance? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (2:04 – 3:22) Great question. Ongoing gum inflammation releases cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. These raise systemic fatigue levels and slow muscle recovery. A low-grade oral infection can increase core temperature and raise heart rate during exertion, lowering VO₂ max. Athletes with untreated gum disease report higher perceived exertion and are statistically more prone to over-training injuries. Australia funds extensive research on this for Olympic athletes – many of the key studies originate there. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (3:22 – 3:31) What about popular sports drinks – ultimately protective, or harmful to teeth? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (3:31 – 4:40) Following last week’s episode on hydration: the sugar-acid mix in many drinks has a pH below 3.5 (remember, anything under 5.5 is risky). It fuels Streptococcus mutans, dissolving enamel in as little as 15 minutes. Sipping continuously prolongs exposure. Finish a bottle quickly, rinse with plain water, or choose isotonic drinks without citric acid or with xylitol instead of sugar. During endurance cycling I often drank only water unless going out for four or five hours. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (4:41 – 4:47) Why are endurance athletes more prone to enamel erosion than the general public? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (4:48 – 6:01) It’s hard to breathe through your nose at pace, so mouth-breathing dries saliva and strips away its buffering capacity. Long bouts of exercise can reduce salivary flow by up to 50 per cent, extending acid attacks. Frequent carbohydrate gels and acidic drinks create a triple hit of sugar, acid and dehydration. We see many triathletes and runners – incredibly fit, yet full of cavities, halitosis and gum disease. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (6:01 – 6:07) Does poor oral health really influence muscle-recovery times? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (6:08 – 7:01) Yes. Bacterial endotoxins enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums, raising C- reactive protein and delaying collagen synthesis. Treating oral infection shortens delayed-onset muscle soreness and improves sleep quality – the research is remarkable. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (7:01 – 7:09) Should non-contact athletes bother with mouthguards? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (7:09 – 8:46) Absolutely. My stepson is an aspiring professional boxer – he never spars without a custom mouthguard. Weight-lifters and sprinters can generate forces exceeding 500 newtons, causing micro-fractures. A lightweight guard, even thinner than a retainer, protects enamel and stabilises the TMJ; research shows it can improve neuromuscular alignment and power output. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (8:47 – 8:55) What dental problems should athletes screen for at six-monthly check-ups? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (8:55 – 10:28) Athletes really do need six-monthly reviews. We often spot significant erosion within twelve months – especially on the palatal surfaces behind the upper incisors. Our practice (next to a gym) uses microscopes to detect early erosion. Branched-chain amino-acid drinks are acidic; long sessions with these can wreak havoc. Look out for micro-cracks or craze lines from repetitive clenching. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (10:29 – 10:37) Can saliva testing guide an athlete’s nutrition or training strategy? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (10:37 – 11:38) At elite level, yes. Saliva can be analysed for buffering capacity, pH, cortisol, lactoferrin and immunoglobulin A, tracking stress and immune status before competitions – though few dentists routinely offer it now. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (11:38 – 11:45) Is it safe to whiten teeth during a competitive season? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (11:45 – 13:05) Professional whitening gels are pH-neutral and can strengthen enamel when used under guidance. Avoid over-the-counter kits or salon treatments – they often cause painful “zingers”. If you’re running the Comrades, don’t whiten the day before… unless you come to OptiSmile, of course! Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (13:05 – 13:14) Do high-carb gels damage teeth more than standard sports drinks? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (13:14 – 14:35) They’re sticky, lodge in crevices and often contain maltodextrin, which rapidly converts to acid-producing glucose. Rinse with water afterwards, and chew xylitol gum (e.g., Orbit Professional) for ten minutes. I do this on rides – especially after a coffee-and- croissant stop. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (14:35 – 14:46) Final question: what single habit should every athlete adopt? Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (14:47 – 15:46) Use Tooth Mousse (MI Paste) with fluoride in a night-guard, retainer or bleaching tray for 15 minutes before bed – or simply rub it on and spit, leaving a protective layer. Combine that with a custom 3D-printed mouthguard and always rinse with plain water, then rehydrate fully within 30 minutes post-workout. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (15:46 – 15:56) That wraps up another fascinating episode, Dr Yudelman. Thanks for sharing your expertise! Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (15:57 – 16:51) My pleasure. Remember, you can book a 1½-hour fully digital examination online, or schedule a free 30-minute video consultation via Google Meet if you can’t get to Cape Town. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (16:51 – 17:05) Next week we’ll tackle fluoride versus non-fluoride toothpastes – myth-busting guaranteed! Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile (17:05 – 17:18) Indeed – fluoride-free pastes are a growing problem, so be sure to tune in. Eon Engelbrecht – E-Radio-SA (17:18 – 17:51) Thanks for listening. Subscribe for more insights, and remember: always seek personalised advice from your own dental professional. Keep smiling – and keep saving your money and your teeth! Narrator (18:12 – 18:57) Discover world-class dentistry with OptiSmile. Join Dr Clifford Yudelman every week for expert insights, or visit OptiSmile.co.za to book online. OptiSmile – where global expertise meets local care in Cape Town.