With the changed clocks, longer days, and warmer weather, spring is the perfect time to get outside, get exercising, and get healthier. But, whether a seasoned athlete or a first-timer, outdoor sports can affect a patient’s oral health in ways they may overlook.
Patients who regularly play sports or who have high-velocity hobbies are at a higher risk of oral disease.[i] Athletes can attribute their inadequate oral health to oxidative stress, diet, and an ineffective oral hygiene routine.[ii] The repercussions of this are many, with dental pain causing up to 18% of performance loss, and the high-energy food intake increasing the risk of caries because of the high sugar content.ii Similarly, orthodontic patients are at a greater risk of oral disease; 50-70% experience gingivitis and dental fluorosis.[iii] Patients who straddle both of these groups are therefore at a high oral health risk.
Fighting the problem
To maintain optimal oral hygiene standards for orthodontic patients, including athletes, consider some of the diverse products from Curaprox. Driven by the mantra that a healthy body needs a healthy mouth, Curaprox supports braces and aligner care with the Ortho Travel Set, a compact but comprehensive mix of essential oral hygiene products that offers excellent results for on-the-go orthodontic hygiene.
As a solution for the latter, the Ortho Travel Set contains five invaluable elements of the daily cleaning routine. Leading the set is the Ortho Travel toothbrush, featuring 5,460 Curenâ filaments. These clean the teeth and gingivae gently but thoroughly, supporting a comfortable cleaning experience. Moreover, the toothbrush incorporates a bracket groove, allowing the head to effortlessly clean the brackets and eliminate any trapped food particles. The toothbrush is also comprised of two parts for easier storage options.
To be used with the Ortho Travel toothbrush is the Be You toothpaste, which features glucose oxidase. This is a natural enzyme that gently brightens the teeth without the need for bleaching agents, instead relying on the formation of oxygen. Simultaneously, glucose oxidase protects the enamel and gingivae with its antibacterial effects, leading to excellent results. Within the Ortho Travel Set, the Be You toothpaste is available in four flavours: Blackberry and Licorice, Watermelon, Apple and Aloe, Peach and Apricot. The zesty flavour options promote compliance and offer something new and exciting to patients.
Filling in the gaps
From the consumption of energy and sports drinks to eating more sugary snacks throughout the day, athletes may expose their teeth to many foods and drinks that, without an excellent oral hygiene routine, can be damaging. The interdental spaces and brace brackets can trap food particles; these are left undisturbed by a traditional toothbrush. The Ortho Travel Kit encourages thorough cleaning with three interdental brushes.
The CPS 14 is an ortho interdental brush that cleans the bands, the areas between the wires and the teeth, and around the brackets. Using this once-a-day can prevent a build-up of harmful bacteria so that, when the orthodontic treatment finishes, the straightened teeth are strong and healthy.
Also included is the CPS 18 ortho interdental brush, ideal for cleaning the wires by inserting the brush underneath them, and the CPS prime interdental brush, size 07, for effectively brushing between the teeth. For further ease, the Ortho Travel Kit includes a duo holder, allowing two interdental brushes to be held at once, making it easier to alternate on the go.
Recommend the best
Orthodontic treatments and sports both support a healthier life, but they also increase the risk of oral disease. With the Ortho Travel Set from Curaprox, at-risk patients can access first-class oral hygiene products wherever they go, maintaining their teeth, braces and gingivae to an optimal and long-lasting level.
To arrange a Practice Educational Meeting with your Curaden Development Manager please email us on sales@curaden.co.uk
For more information, please visit www.curaprox.co.uk and www.curaden.co.uk
[i] Singh, G., Garg, S., Gangaramji Damle, S., Dhindsa, A., Kaur, A. and Singla, S. (2014). A Study of Sports Related Occurrence of Traumatic Orodental Injuries and Associated Risk Factors in High School Students in North India. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, 5(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.22766.
[ii] Schulze, A. and Busse, M. (2024). Sports Diet and Oral Health in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review. Medicina, [online] 60(2), p.319. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60020319.
[iii] Pu, D., Zhang, S., Hu, S., Zhang, Y., Xiong, X. and Du, S. (2023). Orthodontic Patients with Poor Oral Health-Related Quality of Life are More Likely to Have Emotional Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study. Patient Preference and Adherence, [online] Volume 17, pp.3047–3056. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ppa.s433076.
