Abstract:

Considering that health is as a whole, the effect of oral and dental health on both the general health and the sporting performance of the athlete is an accepted scientific approach. Athlete health is a sports science that has and is open to development. The following definition that can be made for Athlete Health; "an individual with special abilities who has and implements a training and competition program in a certain discipline is not only the absence of disease and disability, but also a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being". As a result, the main dental problems of athletes are caries (15-75%), these are dental erosion (36-85%), trauma (14-47%), periodontal problems (15%) and pericoronitis. Studies have reported the negative impact of poor oral health or trauma on sports performance. This effect on performance can develop from dental caries, pain from dental infection, and systemic inflammation due to active periodontitis. Sports dentistry prevents the negative systemic effects of poor oral health on the athlete and supports sports performance. The purpose of the article is to show the place of sports dentistry in the health of athletes.