Sports dentistry centres on preventing and managing sports-related orofacial injuries and the oral conditions linked to training and competition. As a dental therapist involved in sports dentistry, Imogen supports athletes with prevention, early identification and timely care from custom mouthguards and screening to clear trauma pathways.
Sports Dentistry
An athlete’s oral health can directly influence performance. Imogen Johnson, a UKSDA Committee Member and UCL Sports Dentistry MSc candidate, helps athletes protect their smiles and avoid oral issues that could hinder training, recovery or competition.
4 areas that oral health can impact athletic performance are:
Dental problems can undermine an athlete’s performance. Toothache can distract, disturb sleep and lead to missed training or competition, while issues such as impacted wisdom teeth may raise the risk of jaw injuries. For peak performance, athletes should be free of active oral disease and have a clear prevention plan in place. Research indicates that around one in three athletes report their performance is affected by their dental health (Gallagher et al., 2018).
Oral infections fuel systemic inflammation and can delay soft-tissue healing. Managing gum disease, decay and inflamed wisdom teeth with regular checks, cleanings and prompt care plus solid home habits helps prevent setbacks. Imogen works with your coaching and medical teams to keep recovery on track. She advises on hydration, mouthguard hygiene and scheduling treatment around training blocks to minimise disruption.
Bite position relates to airway function and head posture. Imogen assesses jaw position and occlusion to ensure an athlete’s bite does not interfere with breathing, balance or power output. She screens for clenching, asymmetry and temporomandibular strain, then coordinates conservative adjustments or splints as needed. Aligning and stabilising the jaw can support efficient breathing, neuromuscular control and performance under load.
Imogen provides rapid assessment and clear pathways so dental injuries are managed correctly, protecting long-term outcomes. She supports athletes with pitch-side guidance, urgent referrals and follow-up care, including splints and repairs where appropriate. Her experience with teams and events ensures coordination when it matters, minimising time lost from training and competition.
FAQ's
Sports injuries often involve the mouth — wearing the right protection helps prevent chipped, broken, or lost teeth.
Yes. Custom mouthguards fit better, feel more comfortable, and protect your teeth far more effectively than shop-bought ones.
Keep the tooth in milk or saliva, avoid touching the root, and see a dentist straight away — every minute counts.
Yes. Imogen can treat soft-tissue injuries, repair damaged teeth, and advise on preventing future trauma.
Imogen Johnson provides calm, patient-focused dental care in Cheltenham, offering preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments with a gentle approach you can trust.
