Gerard Anton

Gerard Anton (Dentistry, 2018) combines his experience as a dentist with his passion for sports, specialising in sports dentistry. In this interview, he shares how his years of training at UIC laid the foundation for his career, how his interest in oral health applied to athletic performance arose, and how he works with elite athletes to optimize their oral health and performance. He also explains the main challenges in sports dentistry, the most common problems among athletes, and how technology and innovation help improve prevention and treatment. Additionally, he reflects on the discipline, consistency, and motivation that have accompanied him from his time as a professional athlete to his specialized dental practice.

• Who is Gerard Anton? How would you describe yourself and what motivates you on a daily basis?

I am a dentist, and I currently work in the Vic area and in sports dentistry throughout Europe. I have always been driven by goals and objectives: it’s the way I operate and it has accompanied me throughout my life.

Before dedicating myself to dentistry, I was an athlete. For over a decade, I competed in biathlon, cross-country skiing, and shooting, representing the Spanish team, as well as participating in triathlons and ultratrails. This combination of discipline, consistency, and passion for improvement still shapes my daily life.

Today, in addition to pursuing my professional goals in sports dentistry, my family is a major motivation: my daughter Emma, who is five years old, and the projects I share with my wife.

• What were the most important lessons from your time at UIC Barcelona for your professional development?

At UIC Barcelona, I received the foundations and tools I needed to start my journey as a dentist. Over time, I have come to value even more the university’s high academic and human standards. It was a demanding and enriching period that prepared me to grow professionally and steer my career toward a very specific field.

• You graduated in 2018 and have since specialised in sports dentistry. How did your interest in this field arise?

My connection with sports goes back a long way. However, there was a moment that changed everything: in 2022, I was following the UTMB, the most important trail race in the world, and I saw the leading runner stop… to brush her teeth. I was extremely surprised. I asked myself: why is she doing this? How could it relate to her performance?

From that question, I began researching and discovered the profound mouth-body / body-mouth connection. I realised that poor oral health could directly affect an athlete’s performance. This discovery fascinated me.

Since there is still no master’s degree in sports dentistry in Europe, I completed a postgraduate course at a university in Brazil. Since then, I have dedicated myself to working and training specifically in this field. Currently, I am the dentist for the Red Bull BORA–Hansgrohe team, several professional cyclists, the international Salomon trail team and others that will join in 2026. This allows me to apply this knowledge at the highest elite level.

• What types of dental or oral health problems are most common among athletes?

Athletes present similar pathologies to the general population but with higher prevalence due to their lifestyle and the specific nutrition required for high-performance sports.

Studies from the 2012 London Olympic Games showed that:

• 55% of athletes had cavities, favoured by the high intake of simple carbohydrates needed for competition.
• 45% presented dental erosion, associated with acidic drinks, gels and soft drinks.
• 76% suffered from gingivitis.
• 15% had moderate to severe periodontitis.
• 18% reported that oral health affected their sports performance.

In sports such as cycling, for example, during the Tour de France, a cyclist may consume up to 120 g of carbohydrates per hour, reaching around 800 g in a single stage. This sugar intake significantly increases the risk of cavities.

I have a colleague in Madrid who served as a dentist at the Paris 2024 Olympics and performed an average of four root canals per day on elite athletes.

• How does dentistry contribute to improving athletes’ performance and overall health?

Sports dentistry has four fundamental pillars:

• Gingival and low-grade inflammation

Gingivitis releases inflammatory cytokines that enter the bloodstream and particularly affect muscles during recovery. This can delay repair and reduce performance. In fact, athletes with gingivitis perform worse than those with healthy gums.

• Cavities and infections

An untreated cavity can become an infection requiring antibiotics. Antibiotics are known to reduce aerobic capacity by up to 20%. For an elite athlete, this is critical.

• Occlusion and posture

Poor occlusion affects posture and can create muscular compensations that increase the risk of injuries. Evaluating occlusion is crucial in any athlete, especially in high-impact disciplines or those requiring stability.

• Dental erosion and breathing

Erosion is common due to acidic drink consumption.

I also take breathing very seriously: an athlete who breathes through their mouth during sleep recovers less effectively. Promoting nasal breathing at night helps optimize nitric oxide, which improves oxygenation and muscle recovery.

• What challenges do you face in staying up to date in a constantly changing technological environment?

The key is continuous education. Each week, I read articles and review new techniques or devices.

One example is the Oralizer, a quick test that measures the MMP-8 enzyme, a biomarker for collagen degradation. In five minutes, I get an objective value indicating the level of gingival inflammation. This allows me to decide whether the athlete needs an intervention, a cleaning, preventive prophylaxis, or specific maintenance.

Technology advances very quickly, but it also provides precise tools to personalize treatment and prevent problems before they appear.

• A phrase that represents you: “The mouth also competes”
• Your favourite music: I like almost all types of music, although I usually listen to podcasts. I “learn” while doing sports or driving. If I had to choose a band, it would be Coldplay.

For professionals interested in sports dentistry, Gerard Anton collaborates with the course “Sports Dentistry” organised by UIC Barcelona.

He also shares his work and experiences on social media: @dr._gerardanton