Oral Health Status among Athletes in Jaipur, Rajasthan - a Descriptive Study

Introduction: Oral health is important both for the well-being and successful elite sporting performance. Athletes are at a greater risk of having dental caries, dental erosion and traumatic dental injuries. So this study was taken up to focus on this issue. Objectives: (i) To assess the prevalence and severity of dental erosion, dental trauma, oral mucosal lesions, dental caries and periodontal status among athletes, using WHO oral health assessment form 2013. (ii) To plan appropriate oral diseases prevention and oral health promotion strategy for athletes. Materials and Methods: Across-sectional study was carried out among athletes in SMS STADIUM Jaipur. Clinical examination of the athletes was carried out with the help of WHO proforma 2013. Results: A total of 300 athletes were included with 217(72.3%) males and 83(27.66%) females in the age group of 10-35 years with a mean age of 22±5.04 years. Of the participants, 55.3% participants reported the use of energy drinks. 50% reported using chewing gums (sweetened) and 20.6% reported the use of mouth guard during their activities. Around 70% of the athletes were having DMFT, out of them 68.66% had decayed teeth and only 12.66% had filled teeth. 9.3% of the athletes had enamel erosion. 8.33% & 8.66% of athletes were having treated injury and enamel fracture, respectively. Conclusion: Athletes are more prone to dental caries because of less care towards oral hygiene and extensive use of sweetened chewing gums and energy drinks.