By Dr Elizabeth Crake
Wimbledon is one of the most active corners of London. Beyond the famous Championships, there are tennis courts and clubs on almost every street, rugby and football pitches around the borough, miles of cycling and running trails across the Common, and busy local pools. Staying active is wonderful for your overall health, but most people never stop to think about what their favourite sport might be doing to their teeth. From knocks and chips to acid erosion and dry mouth, here's how the sports we love in SW19 affect your smile, and the simple steps that keep it protected.
Trauma: the knock you don't see coming
The most obvious risk is direct injury. A stray elbow on the football pitch, a high ball in hockey, a tackle at rugby, or a fall from a bike on the Common can all chip, loosen or knock out a tooth in an instant. Contact and collision sports carry the highest risk, but even a tennis racket or a cricket ball can do real damage.
A knocked-out adult tooth is a genuine dental emergency. If it's clean, hold it by the crown (never the root), pop it back into the socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and get to a dentist immediately, the sooner it's re-implanted, the better the chance of saving it. Our emergency dentist in Wimbledon offers same-day urgent appointments for exactly these moments, with new-patient emergency visits from £150.
Sports and energy drinks: acid in disguise
Many active people reach for sports or energy drinks during a long session, but these are one of the biggest hidden threats to active teeth. Most are both acidic and high in sugar. The NHS notes that frequent consumption of sugary, acidic drinks contributes to tooth decay and enamel erosion. Sipping slowly throughout a match is the worst pattern of all, because it keeps the mouth bathed in acid for hours.
- Choose water first. For most exercise lasting under an hour, plain water is all your body, and your teeth, actually need.
- Don't sip; finish. If you do have a sports drink, drink it in one go rather than nursing it across a session.
- Rinse, don't rush to brush. Swill with water after an acidic drink, but wait around an hour before brushing so the softened enamel can re-harden.
- Use a straw where practical, to keep the liquid away from your front teeth.
Mouth breathing and a dry mouth
Hard exercise, a long run across the Common, a spin class, a competitive match, usually means breathing through the mouth. This dries out the saliva that normally protects your teeth, neutralising acids and washing away food and bacteria. A persistently dry mouth raises the risk of decay and gum problems, and combining mouth breathing with frequent sips of a sports drink is a particularly damaging mix. Staying well hydrated with water before, during and after activity is the simplest defence.
From the Common to centre court. Whether you run the trails on Wimbledon Common, swim at a local pool, cycle the commute into town, or play at one of the Village's tennis and rugby clubs, the same principles apply. The Championships inspire a real summer surge in tennis around SW19, and with it, more racket knocks and more sugary courtside drinks. A water bottle and, for club players, a mouthguard are the two easiest things to add to your kit bag.
Swimming and chlorine
Swimming is one of the gentlest sports on your joints, but very regular swimmers should be aware of chlorine. Frequent immersion in heavily chlorinated water can, over time, contribute to enamel erosion and brown staining, sometimes nicknamed "swimmer's calculus." It's uncommon in occasional swimmers and very manageable: rinse your mouth with fresh water after a swim, keep well hydrated, and mention it at your check-up so we can keep an eye on any early signs.
Sport, risk and protection at a glance
Different activities carry different risks. Here's a quick guide to the popular Wimbledon sports and how to protect your teeth in each:
| Sport / activity | Main dental risk | How to protect your teeth |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby, hockey, boxing, martial arts | High impact & trauma, chipped or knocked-out teeth | Always wear a custom-fitted mouthguard |
| Football & cricket | Collisions and stray ball or boot injuries | Mouthguard for matches; know your emergency steps |
| Tennis & racket sports | Occasional knocks; courtside sugary drinks | Stick to water; mouthguard for juniors and doubles play |
| Cycling & running (the Common) | Falls; dry mouth from heavy breathing | Hydrate with water; helmet on; rinse after gels/drinks |
| Swimming | Enamel erosion & staining from chlorine | Rinse mouth after swimming; regular check-ups |
Protect your smile while you stay active in SW19
From custom sports mouthguards to same-day care after a knock, Dr Elizabeth Crake and the team at The Dental Lounges Wimbledon keep active residents smiling. Book a chat about the right protection for your sport.
Book an appointment Explore general dentistryThe case for a custom mouthguard
If you play any contact sport, a mouthguard is the single best investment you can make in your teeth. Shop-bought "boil-and-bite" guards are better than nothing, but they're bulky, fit loosely and can make breathing and talking harder. A custom-made guard, taken from an impression of your own teeth, fits snugly, stays put and spreads the force of an impact far more effectively, protecting not just your teeth but your jaw and lips too. Many local clubs now list one as essential kit, and we can make one for adults and children alike as part of our general dentistry service.
Simple habits that protect active teeth
Whatever your sport, a few easy routines make all the difference:
- Make water your default training drink, and save sugary or acidic drinks for genuine endurance events.
- Rinse with water after acidic drinks or a swim, and wait about an hour before brushing.
- Wear a custom mouthguard for any contact or collision sport.
- Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, as the NHS recommends.
- Keep up regular check-ups so any early erosion, decay or cracks are caught while they're still small.
Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health, and with these small steps, your teeth can stay just as strong as the rest of you. If you're a runner, swimmer, cyclist or club player in Wimbledon Village, our friendly team is here to help you protect your smile for the long game.
Frequently asked questions
For any contact or collision sport, rugby, hockey, football, boxing or martial arts, a mouthguard is strongly advised even at amateur and club level. A single knock can chip, loosen or knock out a tooth, and a custom-fitted guard absorbs and spreads the impact far better than a boil-and-bite version. Many local clubs now make them part of their kit list.
They can be. Most sports and energy drinks are both acidic and high in sugar, so frequent sipping during long sessions bathes the teeth in acid and feeds decay-causing bacteria. For most exercise, water is all you need. If you do use a sports drink, finish it in one go rather than sipping, and rinse with plain water afterwards rather than brushing straight away.
Frequent swimming in heavily chlorinated pools can, over time, contribute to enamel erosion and staining in regular swimmers, sometimes called swimmer's calculus. It is uncommon for occasional swimmers. Rinsing your mouth with water after a swim, staying hydrated and keeping up regular check-ups all help to keep it in check.
