Working out is good for your body and your mind. In fact, studies have shown that people who exercise can live an average of up to 6.9 years longer than those who don’t. But while staying fit does wonders for your overall health, that isn’t always the case for your oral health.
Here’s how that workout can harm your smile, and how you can avoid a dental emergency!
The Benefits of Exercise to Your Smile
Before you understand how exercise can damage your oral health, it’s important to understand that it can also benefit it. In fact, studies have found that people who exercise have a 33 percent lower risk of developing gum disease than those who don’t. This type of infection can cause dangerous inflammation that can worsen many systemic illnesses such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, and even some forms of cancer, so keeping your risks low can benefit your entire body!
The Hidden Dangers of Exercise on Your Oral Health
Now that you know how exercise can help your oral health, here are a few ways it could be putting it at risk, and what you can do to protect yourself and your smile while working out!
Accidental Injury
If you stay fit by playing a sport, it’s likely that you already know there’s always a risk of accidental injury, especially when you play contact sports like football, hockey, or wrestling. But if you’re not careful, you can still hurt your smile doing things like weightlifting, skating, or playing tennis.
Thus, to keep your teeth safe during athletics, consider a custom sports mouthguard from your dentist. Unlike the boil-and-bite varieties you can find at most sporting goods stores, these are specifically crafted to fit your mouth, so there’s no bulky excess material, and no difficulty taking them off when you’re done. Furthermore, because they’re much more comfortable, you (or your child) will be more likely to wear them, thereby allowing it to protect your teeth better than those cumbersome storebought varieties.
Sports Drinks
Sweetened sports drinks work quickly to rehydrate you, and boost electrolytes lost during physical activity. However, they are often packed with sugar and high in acidity, which can increase sensitivity and your risk of tooth decay and cavities. If you do choose to drink these types of beverages, be sure to alternate them with water, and brush your teeth well after drinking.
Mouth Breathing and Saliva Quality
When you exert yourself, it’s not uncommon to need a little extra air. Thus, many people end up mouth-breathing while working out. Unfortunately, while this does help your breathing, it can sometimes hurt your oral health. This is because when your mouth is open it can quickly dry out, decreasing your saliva levels and preventing it from rinsing away dangerous oral bacteria. This can cause several problems, including an increased risk of both cavities and gum disease.
Another way exercise can affect your saliva is by changing its pH. Studies have shown that the more you work out, the lower the amount of saliva you produce, and the more alkaline it becomes. This can in turn neutralize the proteins that protect your teeth from decay. Therefore, try to focus on breathing through your nose during exercise, and make sure your mouth stays hydrated by always keeping water on hand.
Remember, staying fit has myriad benefits for your body and mind, but if you aren’t careful, it can take its toll on your oral health. If you are an athlete or are embarking on a wellness journey in 2025, don’t forget to protect your teeth and gums along the way!
About Our Practice
At La Prada Family Dentistry of Garland, we are proud to protect you and your family’s oral health. Whether you’re an athlete, a fitness buff, or just getting started, it’s important to protect your beautiful smile during physical activity.
If you’re interested in learning more about custom sports mouthguards, or if you have suffered an injury or are experiencing any urgent oral health problems, please call us as soon as possible for an appointment at 214-227-6577.
