How Does Exercise Affect Oral Health?

It’s important that everyone stays active to keep up excellent health. Whether you like to run outdoors or play basketball at your local recreation center, you are helping your body stay in shape. However, exercise isn’t always the best for your smile for a variety of reasons. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce the harmful effects that exercise has on your oral health. Read on to learn what they are.

Why Is Exercise Harmful for Your Oral Health?

Here are some ways that exercise can put a damper on your dental health.

• Sports Drinks: Did you know that sports drinks are even worse for your smile than soda and juice? They are a great way to rehydrate you and replenish electrolytes after a grueling workout, you could be looking at enamel erosion and tooth decay in the near future. In fact, a study was published in the journal of the Academy of General Dentistry found that damage can occur after just five days of constant consumption. This is because the beverage contains so much acid and sugar.
• Mouth Breathing: When you are exercising, you may find yourself breathing heavier and your mouth open to take more oxygen into your body. However, when you do this too much, you develop dry mouth. This is when there isn’t enough saliva in the mouth, and ultimately, bacteria have the perfect environment to thrive in. This means a higher chance of developing gum disease and cavities.
• Jaw Clenching: Jaw clenching and teeth grinding, also called “bruxism,” are both common during high-intensity workouts, this can become an issue over time. Not only can you damage your teeth, but your jaw joints are also under a lot of stress.

How to Limit the Harmful Effects of Exercise on Your Teeth

This shouldn’t be an excuse for you to be sedentary. Instead, take the following steps so you can stay active while keeping your smile healthy.

• Use a Nightguard: If you tend to grind or clench your teeth at night, wearing an oral appliance can help to prevent damage. This provides a thin barrier between the upper and lower teeth to protect your teeth.
• Breathe Through Your Nose: Make an effect to breathing through your nose as much as you can during your workouts. This way, you can keep your mouth from drying out.
• Go Easy on Sports Drinks: Water is the best thing for you to drink when you exercise. If you’re worried about getting enough electrolytes, try drinking coconut water instead. It has no added sugar and tastes delicious.

Exercise is great, but no one wants a dental emergency. By using the steps listed above, you can keep your smile healthy while staying in shape.

About the Practice

At Region Dental, Dr. Daniel Berquist and Dr. Joseph Ornelas work together to treat patients in the La Porte community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (219) 362-8980.