607 EP089 – Is there a link between the increased consumption of sports drinks and dental decay in elite athletes?

Background Oral health and the high incidence of dental disease in influencing athletic performance are well documented. Sports drinks have been linked with an increase in poor oral health. Objective The primary aim of this study was to establish a link between the frequency of sports drinks consumption amongst elite athletes and the incidence of dental decay. Design This was a questionnaire-based study about athletes' perceptions of their oral health and use of sports drinks. All athletes entering the canteen were offered the opportunity to participate. This was a prospective study undertaken within a two-week window. Setting This study was centred at the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham, UK 2022. Participants Participants were athletes attending the athletes' canteen at the games. 458 volunteer athletes were involved in the study, 40% response rate. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) Athletes were offered free oral health education advice as a preventive measure. Outcomes The primary outcome measure was the level of dental caries experienced by elite athletes in association with their consumption of sports drinks. Results 50 countries and 25 sports were represented. The link between the frequency of sports drinks consumption and dental decay was marginally statistically significant, (X2, p=0.077). The use of Isotonic sports drinks and sensitivity was statistically significant (X2, p=<0.001). 197 (43%) athletes reported drinking sports drinks once a week. One third of participants (n=175; 35%) reported seeing nutritionists for advice about sports drinks; only n=21 (4%) sought advice from dentists. One in four athletes reported seeing their dentist due to pain (n=116; 25.3%). Conclusions It is unclear whether sports drinks result in more tooth decay. Dentists and the sports medicine team should adopt a preventative approach and educate athletes about the potential risks from these drinks. Sports dentists should work with athletes and medical teams to mitigate potential risks.