Occurrence of nail biting among athletes in grassroots football / Ocorrência de onicofagia entre atletas de futebol de base

Introduction: Nail biting is related to a high degree of anxiety and low self-esteem and has various repercussions. Objective: The presente study aimed to detect the occurrence of nail biting among athletes of football (soccer) in order to determine possible causes of muscle imbalance, headaches, discomfort and stress that compromise athletic performance and indicate psychological problems and an inability to cope with pressure during training and games. Methods:The present study was carried out at the São Paulo Futebol Clube, São Paulo, Brazil, involving 64 athletes of football between 13 and 20 years of age. They were interviewed and clinically visually examined for the detection of the occurrence of nail biting. Results: Among the 64 athletes interviewed and examined, 47 (73.5 %) had the habit of nail biting. Discussion: Malocclusion is the most frequente result of finger sucking and nail biting, especially when these habits are prolonged. Parafunctional activities can overload the masticatory system. Nail biting can affect the performance of an athlete in terms of dental aspects, with the presence of temporomandibular disorder and malocclusion, as well as in psychological terms, demonstrating insecurity and an excess of demands. Conclusion: Based on the present study, planning strategies, multidisciplinary intervention and the organization of educational lectures are being adopted to discuss the harmful repercussions of this habit for athletes, trainers and other professionals involved in grassroots football.

Introdução: A onicofagia é relacionada a um alto grau de ansiedade e baixa auto-estima e apresenta diferentes repercussões no organismo, representa uma atividade parafuncional. Objetivo: O presente estudo investigou a ocorrência de onicofagia entre os atletas de futebol de campo, a fim de determinar as possíveis causas de desequilíbrio muscular, dores de cabeça, desconforto e estresse que prejudicam o desempenho do atleta e indicam problemas psicológicos e uma incapacidade de lidar com a pressão durante o treino e competições. Métodos: O presente estudo foi realizado no São Paulo Futebol Clube, São Paulo, Brasil, envolvendo 64 atletas de futebol entre 13 e 20 anos de idade. Eles foram entrevistados e clinicamente examinadas visualmente para a detecção da ocorrência de roer as unhas. Resultados: Entre os 64 atletas entrevistados e examinados, 47 (73,5 %) tinha o hábito de roer as unhas. Discussão: Má oclusão é o resultado mais frequente de sucção de polegar e onicofagia, especialmente quando esses hábitos acompanham o indivíduo por um longo prazo. Atividades parafuncionais podem sobrecarregar o sistema mastigatório. A onicofagia pode afetar o desempenho de um atleta tanto em aspectos odontológicos, com a presença de disfunção temporomandibular e a má oclusão, bem como em termos psicológicos como insegurança, demonstrando um excesso de demandas. O objetivo foi chamar a atenção para este mau hábito oral, o que prejudica o condicionamento físico e psicológico necessário para a obtenção de resultados satisfatórios. Conclusão: Com base no estudo, estratégias de planejamento, intervenção multidisciplinar e da organização de palestras educativas estão sendo adotadas para discutir as repercussões nocivas deste hábito para atletas, treinadores e outros profissionais envolvidos no futebol de formação.

Prevalence of malocclusions in the 13-20-year-old categories of football athletes

The dentist can offer athletes improvement in their physical performance through the maintenance of oral health, preventing and treating any and all changes in the stomatognathic system, such as dental malocclusions, that compromise the athletes' performance. The objective of this study is to research the presence of dental malocclusions in athletes of the category between 13 and 20 years of age, from the São Paulo Football Club. 84 athletes participated in this study, dealing with the following topics: molar relation (Angle's classification); presence of overbite; underbite; overcrowding; abnormal spacing; open bite; and anterior, posterior, bilateral and unilateral crossbite; midline deviation and facial type (mesofacial, brachyfacial and dolichofacial). Only one table was made, showing percentages. In regard to Angle's molar relation, 89 percent are in Class I, 8 percent in Class II, 3 percent Class III, 9 percent of the athletes had overbite, 4 percent had underbite, 13 percent had overcrowding and 21 percent had abnormal spacing. In regard to the bite, 11 percent presented anterior open bite. In regard to crossbite, 7 percent presented unilateral crossbite on the right side and 2 percent on the left side; 5 percent presented posterior crossbite and 4 percent anterior crossbite. In regard to midline deviations, 4 percent presented deviation in the maxilla and 33 percent in the mandible. In regard to facial type: 39 percent are dolichofacial, 4 percent brachyfacial and 57 percent mesofacial. Based on the results shown, proposals for the implementation of dental, phoniatric, and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) practices are already being discussed with the multidisciplinary team of the club involved.