ORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SELF-REPORTED PRESENCE OF PAIN IN ROWERS: AN EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDY

ABSTRACT Introduction: Rowers are especially prone to oral health problems due to the massive consumption of supplements and isotonic drinks that lead eating disorders, due to the need for weight control, and to the development of teeth clenching caused by the constant activation of the chewing muscles during sports activity. Objective: To evaluate the oral health status of a group of Brazilian rowers and to identify the main risk factors influencing their oral health. Methods: One hundred and twenty rowers (84 men and 36 women) with an age of 24.16 ± 5.74 years participated in this study; an average height of 1.79 ± 0.09 cm and body mass of 75.02 ± 11.64 kg were detected by means of a questionnaire focused on the main factors that influence the deterioration in athletes’ oral health. Results: The dental results revealed a significant number of rowers with the oral breathing pattern (46.7%), malocclusion (65.8%), bruxism (33.3%) and noise and/or pain in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) (20.8%). The use of supplements and isotonic drinks (48.3%) and the incidence of bleeding gums (30.83%) were also found. Conclusion: The results show the importance of making rowers aware of the relevance of oral health and the need for prevention systems, ideally including sports dentistry specialists within the sports medicine departments of rowing clubs. Level of evidence II; Retrospective study. RESUMEN Introducción: Los remeros son especialmente propensos a sufrir problemas de salud bucodental debido al uso masivo de suplementos e isotónicos, con tendencia a trastornos alimentarios por la exigencia de control de peso y el apretamiento dental, por la constante activación de los músculos masticatorios durante la actividad deportiva. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado bucal de un grupo de remeros brasileños e identificar los principales factores de riesgo para la salud bucal de estos deportistas. Material y método: En este estudio participaron 120 remeros (84 hombres y 36 mujeres) con una edad de 24,16 ± 5,74 años; una altura de 1,79 ± 0,09 cm y una masa corporal de 75,02 ± 11,64 kg, por medio de un cuestionario que indagó sobre los principales problemas de la salud bucodental de los deportistas. Resultados: Los resultados relativos al área dental revelaron un número significativo de remeros con patrón de respiración oral (46,7%), con historia de maloclusión (65,8%), con parafunción de bruxismo (33,3%) y con ruido y/o dolor de la ATM (articulación temporomandibular) (20,8%). El