The effect of consumption of energy and sports drinks in the oral cavity in adult athletes in Malta

Abstract

Essential study was conducted to comprehend the link between athletes’ excessive consumption of sports energy drinks and oral health problems, as well as the development of preventive measures. Objectives: This study investigated the possibility of a relationship between adult athletes, ages 18 and above, and sports/energy drink consumption together with oral health problems. It looked at demographics, lifestyle, and dental issues like caries, gingivitis, and tooth wear through a thorough literature review and athlete surveys. Method: The dental health of 60 participants was objectively evaluated in this study. Participants were clinically examined at Saint Vincent de Paul Dental clinic. Standard dental mirror and North Carolina 15 periodontal probe were used for the assessment. Indices like the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) index, BPE (Basic Periodontal Examination) index, and BEWE (Basic Erosive Wear Examination) index, were used and the results were compared between those athletes who consumed sports and energy drinks and those who did not. Moreover, the selection of participants was based on similar traits or behaviours linked to both sports participation and energy drink consumption, which improves the validity and reliability of the study’s findings. Results: The study offered captivating new information about how sports and energy drinks are consumed by athletes. With 93.5% of men consuming these drinks compared to 71.4% of women (p = 0.024), men clearly prefer these drinks over women. It appears that age has little effect on consumption rates (p = 0.431). There is no relationship found between consumption patterns and variables such as dental visits, oral health education, and soda substitution. On the other hand, consumption is associated with irreversible caries (88.7%). Additionally, there is no significant difference in rates of erosion between consumers and non-consumers (p = 0.37). Meanwhile, using t-test there is a significant difference in BPE scores between consumers and non-consumers (p = <.0001), indicating that consumption patterns are consistent across different settings and demographics. The results showed links between drink consumption and dental health, providing information for treatments, encouraging athletes to choose healthier beverages and possibly enhancing their dental health. Conclusion: Conclusions highlight the need for more research to determine how well educational initiatives can increase athletes’ awareness of the possible health risks associated with sports and energy drink consumption. They also highlight the significance of focused behavioural interventions aimed at reducing athletes’ consumption of these beverages.