Minish Dental Hospital, the National Team’s Dental Clinic: Special Lecture on Sports Dentistry at the Jincheon National Athletes’ Village

For athletes, teeth are not simply organs used to chew food. They are an important factor that can affect athletic performance, concentration, and injury prevention. Choi Jin-ho, director of the Integrated Care Department at Minish Dental Hospital, recently gave a special lecture on sports dentistry for national team athletes at the Jincheon National Athletes’ Village. The lecture covered the relationship between exercise and oral health, as well as how to respond to dental trauma that may occur during competition.

The Relationship Between Athletic Performance and Teeth

When lifting heavy weights or delivering a powerful blow, athletes often naturally clench their teeth. This helps stabilize the jaw muscles and effectively transfer force, which may contribute to physical balance and momentary performance. However, this type of force is intentionally used in competitive situations and should be distinguished from the unconscious habit of clenching the teeth in everyday life.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching During Sleep Require Management

Teeth Grinding and Clenching During Sleep Require Management

Teeth grinding and clenching that occur during sleep cannot be consciously controlled and may place considerable strain on the teeth and temporomandibular joints. If they persist, problems such as

• Tooth wear

• Cracks and fractures in the teeth

• Temporomandibular joint pain

• Excessive tension in the chewing muscles

may occur.

If your jaw feels stiff when you wake up in the morning or marks are visible along the edges of your tongue, it is advisable to visit a dentist to identify the cause.

Sports Mouthguards and Sleep Appliances Serve Different Purposes

During exercise, a sports mouthguard is used to protect the teeth from external impacts. In contrast, a splint is used to protect the temporomandibular joints and teeth when managing teeth grinding or clenching during sleep. Because their purposes differ, it is important to choose an appliance suited to the symptoms.

What Should You Do If a Tooth Is Injured During Sports?

If a tooth is knocked out by an impact during exercise, it is important to act as quickly as possible. Ideally, the tooth should be placed back into its original position without touching the root. If that is difficult, it is recommended to store the tooth in milk or physiological saline and visit a dentist immediately. If part of the tooth has broken off, the treatment method may vary depending on the extent of the damage and the condition of the pulp (nerve), so an accurate diagnosis is necessary.

Oral Health Is Important for Everyone, Not Just Athletes

Teeth are closely connected not only to athletic performance but also to eating, speech, and quality of life in everyday life. Through this special lecture at the National Athletes’ Village, Minish Dental Hospital highlighted the importance of sports dentistry and shared that maintaining dental health may also help improve athletic performance and prevent injuries.

If you are concerned about teeth grinding, clenching, or dental trauma during sports activities, it is important not to leave the symptoms unattended but to obtain an accurate diagnosis and determine an appropriate management method.