How Is Endurance Running Linked to Oral Health Problems?

Endurance running is a popular sport which involves people running long distances. While this is good for our physical health, it typically has negative consequences for our oral health. Many people are unaware of the connection between running long distances and poor oral health. Now, a dentist has explained this connection and provided advice to avoid oral problems when running long distances.

When we think of endurance runners, it is common to assume that these people are at peak health. After all, we are always told how good for our health running is, so it makes sense that they would be healthy.

However, many people are unaware of the oral health implications that endurance running has. For numerous reasons, endurance running is linked to oral health problems.

Now, Canadian ultrarunner and dentist Dr. Arden Young has provided advice for endurance athletes in terms of how to protect their oral health [1].

Endurance Running

Endurance running typically refers to any form of running over a long distance. Many people view a Marathon – which is 42 kilometres – of being the standard endurance run.

However, some people take it further, with ultramarathons existing. These can go on for days, or even weeks, and often involve treacherous conditions. They can involve running hundreds or even thousands of kilometres.

Endurance running can take place on roads, tracks, trails, and mountains among other areas. In extreme cases, they can take place in deserts.

Training for these events takes a long time. Some people train for months or even years in order to compete. This is very good for their physical health, but not for their oral health.

Athletes typically have worse oral health than the general public. One study involved looking at 278 athletes at the 2012 Summer Olympics, with researchers reporting that the majority of these athletes had “poor oral health” [2].

The link between endurance running and poor oral health

Dr. Arden Young is a dentist and endurance runner. She has discussed the link between endurance running and poor oral health [1]. Young regularly competes in endurance events and won the women’s race at a 47.7 kilometre event in California in 2021 [1].

Due to the lengths involved in endurance running, runners need to consume carbohydrates to maintain energy levels. But unfortunately, this typically causes oral health problems.

Young says that “the amount and frequency of carbohydrate that an endurance athlete ingests during competition and training can wreak havoc in your mouth” [1].

Continuing, Young explains that this increases the risk “of enamel erosion, dental cavities, and inflammatory periodontal disease” [1]. Therefore, there are a range of concerns.

Young says that “cavity-causing oral bacteria metabolize sugars and produce acid, which dissolves teeth” [1]. Therefore, anything that increases bacteria has a negative impact.

Similarly, runners will often rely on drinks to provide more energy. But these drinks often take the form of sports drinks, which are typically high in sugar. Again, this causes problems, as sugar causes tooth decay.

Young says that “most sports drinks are acidic, with a pH of around 3” – which is bad for the mouth [1]. Continuing, Young says that while saliva does neutralize pH, it takes time, “and every time you take a swig of that sports drink, the process starts again” [1].

Therefore, a harmful cycle can develop where a person has a sugary drink and carbohydrates, which then results in their oral health being impacted. Saliva will eventually neutralize acid, but before it has, the runner may have another sip, causing this cycle to restart.

As endurance runners train for weeks or months, this cycle will happen again and again, which causes oral health problems over time.

How can endurance runners improve their oral health?

With the above in mind, it is important for endurance runners to consider their oral health. After all, if they have poor oral health, it can affect their physical health.

One helpful consideration is that some sports drinks contain bicarbonate, which can limit the impact acid has on the mouth [1]. Therefore, runners should look into only using sports drinks that have bicarbonate as an ingredient.

Moreover, having strong oral hygiene is very important, which involves brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. In fact, it could be advisable to brush three times a day on training days.

Additionally, using a fluoride rinse and rinsing with plain water following eating carbohydrates or drinking sports drinks can help to neutralize the pH level in your mouth quicker.

Running long distances also causes saliva production to lessen. Therefore, to stimulate saliva production, drinking water frequently or chewing gum can help. As mentioned, saliva helps to neutralize acid levels in the mouth, thereby protecting teeth.

These tips can be helpful and limit the damage caused to oral health by endurance running. Endurance running is good for our physical health, but it should not come at the cost of poor oral health.

Thinking points…

[1] It isn’t just endurance runners that should be practicing excellent oral hygiene! Instead, it is important that everyone does so! By following an effective oral routine, it should result in strong oral health. As part of your routine, it is important to attend regular dental check-ups, as these provide a dentist with the chance to take a look at your oral health. We recommend booking an appointment now!

[2] Are you or someone you know an endurance runner? If so, this article contains some really useful information to protect oral health. Therefore, if you know someone that runs long distances, you could send this article to them! Better yet, why not share the article across your social media accounts, it could help a lot of people!

What we offer at Taradale Dental

Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.

We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!

References

[1] Oral Health. (2025). People react to oral hygiene tips by Canadian dentist and endurance runner: ‘Dang, I had no idea’. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/people-react-to-oral-hygiene-tips-by-canadian-dentist-and-endurance-runner-dang-i-had-no-idea-1003986011/.

[2] Needleman, I., Ashley, P., Petrie, A., et al. (2013). Oral health and impact on performance of athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympic Games: a cross-sectional study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 47 (16): p1054-1058. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092891.