Oral health and elite sport performance with Ian Needleman

In the latest episode of the Next ReGeneration podcast, hosts Anina and Elena welcome Ian Needleman, Professor of Periodontology and Healthcare Research at UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London, UK. A passionate runner himself, Needleman has devoted substantial research to exploring the oral health of athletes and its impact on their performance and overall well-being.

 

Needleman shares fascinating insights from his assessments of athletes' oral health during the London 2012 Olympic Games. His studies consistently reveal that elite athletes frequently suffer from poor oral health, a phenomenon observed across both developing and developed nations. Although the exact mechanisms linking oral health to sports performance are not yet fully understood, inflammation seems to be a key factor. Needleman's research underscores that enhancing oral health can significantly boost athletic performance.