ASSESSING THE AWARENESS OF MARATHON AND ULTRAMARATHON ATHLETES ABOUT THEIR DENTAL HEALTH BASED ON THE SPECIALISED QUESTIONNAIRE

The marathon, originating from the Greek ??????????, is a long-distance foot race covering 42.195 km, typically run on roads but also possible on trails. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of marathon athletes about their own dental health. A survey was administered to 40 amateur athletes who engage in long-distance running and participate in marathons. These athletes had varying fitness levels and had been involved in distance running for over a year. Results indicated that the greatest influence on the oral hygiene of athletes was exerted by the amount of running performed per month. Increasing monthly running volume may have a negative impact on the oral hygiene scores of marathon athletes. Anthropometric data, as well as oral hygiene products and methods, were also considered. The study concludes that the influence of running volume per month on oral hygiene may be indirect for several reasons, suggesting a complex relationship between endurance running and dental health. This research highlights the need for further investigation into the specific mechanisms by which intensive physical activity might affect oral health in endurance athletes.