Interactive effect of rehydration with diluted sports drink and water gargling on salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity during ergometer exercise in young adult volunteers

Erosive tooth wear and salivary parameters among competitive swimmers and non-swimmers in Egypt: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Competitive swimmers spend considerable time practicing their sport. Prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can alter salivary parameters and might compromise oral health. This study aimed to determine erosive tooth wear status and its related risk factors among competitive swimmers as compared to non-swimmers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study consisting of 180 athletes (90 competitive swimmers versus 90 competitive rowers "non-swimmers") was conducted. Participants were interviewed on the common erosion risk factors. The Basic Erosive Wear Examination system was used to assess the status of erosive tooth wear. Stimulated saliva sample was collected before and after a training session and pool pH was evaluated using pH strips for 7 days. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dental erosion was significantly higher among competitive swimmers (60%) with higher BEWE scores compared to non-swimmers (25.6%). The salivary flow rate was reduced significantly after training sessions in both groups while salivary pH increased among swimmers. Evaluation of pool water revealed a continuous reduction in the pH level, reaching a very acidic pH level of 3.24.

CONCLUSION

Erosive tooth wear is more prevalent among competitive swimmers. Years of practice and regular consumption of acidic drinks increase the odds of developing erosive lesions. A high incidence of erosive lesions may be attributed to a reduction in swimming pool pH level. Salivary parameters showed variations between groups after training sessions.

The neutralizing effect of mouth rinsing with alkaline electrolyzed water on different regions of the oral cavity acidified by acidic beverages

PURPOSE

Acids contained in foods and drinks are involved in the initiation and progression of dental erosion which causes tooth wear. The authors evaluated the neutralizing activity of alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The neutralizing ability of AEW against eight beverages was investigated in vitro. Furthermore, in an in vivo study, the effect of mouth rinsing with AEW on the pH of the oral cavity acidified with acidic beverages was examined. Following mouth rinsing, the oral pH was measured using a pH meter with a micro pH-sensor at the cervical surface of the mandibular teeth and the surface of soft tissues.

RESULTS

Regarding the neutralizing ability, the higher the pH of the AEW, the lower the volume required for neutralization of the tooth surface. Changes in the pH by mouth rinsing with AEW and purified tap water (PTW) were analyzed. The degree of increase of pH with AEW was greater than with PTW at almost all sites.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that AEW has the potential to prevent the initiation and progression of dental erosion. Mouth rinsing with AEW could be a simple and effective way to prevent the initiation and progression of dental erosion and dental caries.

The Impact of Sport Training on Oral Health in Athletes

Athletes' oral health appears to be poor in numerous sport activities and different diseases can limit athletic skills, both during training and during competitions. Sport activities can be considered a risk factor, among athletes from different sports, for the onset of oral diseases, such as caries with an incidence between 15% and 70%, dental trauma 14-70%, dental erosion 36%, pericoronitis 5-39% and periodontal disease up to 15%. The numerous diseases are related to the variations that involve the ecological factors of the oral cavity such as salivary pH, flow rate, buffering capability, total bacterial count, cariogenic bacterial load and values of secretory Immunoglobulin A. The decrease in the production of S-IgA and the association with an important intraoral growth of pathogenic bacteria leads us to consider the training an "open window" for exposure to oral cavity diseases. Sports dentistry focuses attention on the prevention and treatment of oral pathologies and injuries. Oral health promotion strategies are needed in the sports environment. To prevent the onset of oral diseases, the sports dentist can recommend the use of a custom-made mouthguard, an oral device with a triple function that improves the health and performance of athletes. During training, the sports dentist must monitor the athletes and the sports examination protocol must be implemented with the inclusion of the clinical examination, quantitative and qualitative analysis of saliva and instructions on the use, cleansing and storage of the mouthguard.

Personalized hydratation status in endurance and ultra-endurance: A review

This review aims to investigate the physiological mechanisms that underlie the hydro-electrolyte balance of the human body and the most appropriate hydration modalities for individuals involved in physical and sports activities, with a focus on ultra-endurance events. The role of effective hydration in achieving optimal sports performance is also investigated. An adequate pre-hydration is essential to perform physical and sporting activity in a condition of eu-hydration and to mantain physiologic levels of plasma electrolyte. To achieve these goals, athletes need to consume adequate drinks together with consuming meals and fluids, in order to provide an adequate absorption of the ingested fluids and the expulsion of those in excess through diuresis. Therefore, there are important differences between individuals in terms of sweating rates, the amount of electrolytes loss and the specific request of the discipline practiced and the sporting event to pursue.