[What is the impact of high-performance sports on saliva?]

Elite sportsmen and women often have a poorer oral health than their peers. This is probably due to changes in saliva composition. During periods of high intensity training saliva production is not decreased, but the resting concentrations of immunoglobulin A and several antimicrobial proteins are lower than in non-athletes. This might contribute to an increased risk for oral and airway infections. During exercise, the salivary protein concentration increases, among them mucins. This gives thick, sticky saliva and might contribute to a dry mouth feeling during exercise. Similar to blood, the lactate concentration in saliva increases during intensive exercise. Therefore, salivary lactate might be used as a non-invasive parameter to monitor training intensity, together with changes in saliva composition. These changes may also cause a higher frequency of oral health problems. Therefore, the oral health of elite athletes deserves special attention.