Relationship between oral health, perceived stress, and injuries in high-performance soccer players: preliminary analysis

Studies revealed that high performance athletes have poor oral health which can to predispose them to injuries. We analyze the relationship between oral health, perceived stress, and the incidence of non-contact injuries in soccer players. Twenty professional male soccer players between 18 - 22 years old were evaluated. Community Periodontal Index Treatment Needed (CPITN), periodontogram, and acidification velocity (AV) by Snyder test was measured. The Levenstein Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) was applied. Furthermore, information on non-contact injuries along the past season was collected. CPITN was scored 0 - 1 in nine players (group 1); and 2 - 3 in eleven players (group 2). Snyder test at 72 h showed two players with moderate AV in group 1, while seven players showed moderate-severe AV in group 2. PSQ coefficient was higher in group 2 in the last two years and last month. Injuries reports showed that players from the group 2 had significantly more total non-contact injuries (* p < 0.05) and non-contact muscle injuries (* p < 0.05) compared to the group 1. Poor oral health could be a potential risk factor for sports injuries. Stress is a variable that could promote oral alteration and could contribute to injuries.