Survey on Oral Health and History of Muscle Injury in Professional Athletes of Brazilian Women's Soccer: A Cross-Sectional Self-Reported Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate behavioral eating habits and oral health care habits of professional women's soccer athletes and their relation to the history of muscle injuries from the last season. 44 female professional soccer athletes answered a specific questionnaire, comprising the length of professional sports practice, educational level, eating habits, oral hygiene care, individual perception of the oral health condition, history of muscle injury and time off due injuries. The individual perception about the importance of oral health care and periodic maintenance is still limited among female soccer players. The existence of oral diseases with an inflammatory profile, especially periodontal diseases, was associated with muscle events, such as limiting pain or discomfort, muscle injuries and longer time off due to injury. Even with monitoring by the medical department, the oral health of professional women's soccer athletes is poor and should be considered as a priority, reducing the risk of harm to health, performance and improving the time to recover from injuries. Knowledge of the practice of oral health care and the possible relationship between oral health, muscle integrity and injury recovery time, helps to understand the health/disease process and contributes to the development of more effective prevention and treatment actions.