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Fitness and Oral Health: 5 Ways to Protect Your Smile

February 11, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — theoakbrookdentist @ 11:10 pm
person smiling while working out

Recently, you decided that you want to start working out a few times per week to maintain a good body weight and prevent health issues. Though exercising is a great way to improve your overall well-being, it can, unfortunately, have adverse effects on your oral health if you don’t do it correctly. So that you don’t damage your smile in your pursuit to get in better shape, read on to learn about the connection between fitness and oral health as well as how to protect your smile from harm.

#1: Be Wary of Nutrition Bars

In many advertisements for nutrition bars, they are framed as being a healthy way to fuel your workout. Unfortunately, they aren’t as healthy as these commercials make them seem. Nutrition bars often contain raisins, dates, and other sticky foods. These are difficult to wash away, which means that they remain on your teeth for an extended period. Between this and the large amounts of sugar they contain, cavity-causing bacteria are given plenty of time to do some serious damage to your smile.

#2: Skip Sports Drinks

Sports drinks contain electrolytes, which help your body maintain a healthy water balance. They also promote good muscle and heart health. Sports drinks are also incredibly acidic and contain large amounts of sugar, which contributes to cavity formation. It’s best to drink water instead, which will keep your mouth moist as well as wash away food particles and harmful oral bacteria.

#3: Breathe Through Your Nose

Though breathing through your mouth after an intense workout may be your go-to until your heart rate slows back down, this can harm your oral health. Breathing this way causes your mouth to dry out, which means that you aren’t producing enough saliva to wash away oral bacteria. This can result in increased plaque levels, which puts you at a higher risk of tooth decay.

#4: Protect Against Oral Injuries

If you play contact sports like football or have an accident while working out that results in you getting hit in the face, this can damage your teeth, gums, or jaw. To prevent this from happening, wear a mouthguard. You can purchase one over-the-counter at grocery or drug stores or speak with your dentist about having one custom-made.

#5: Avoid Jaw Clenching

Many people unintentionally clench their jaws while exercising. This causes a stress hormone called cortisol to be released and may result in airway constriction and jaw misalignment. Jaw clenching also puts additional pressure on tooth enamel, which causes it to wear down more quickly. Consistent stress in the jaw joints can also cause bruxism, which is characterized by jaw clenching and teeth grinding. This may result in chips, cracks, enamel wear, or increased tooth sensitivity.

While you exercise, make sure to keep these five things in mind to prevent issues related to fitness and oral health. This will allow you to prosper on your journey towards a healthy body while maintaining a brag-worthy smile!

About the Practice

The friendly team of oral health professionals at OakBrook Dental & Orthodontics is passionate about offering patients exceptional care. From preventive treatments like checkups and cleanings to restorative procedures, a healthy, happy set of pearly whites is within reach. Are you interested in setting up an appointment with OakBrook Dental & Orthodontics or do you want more information about their services? If so, call their office at (469) 526-4040 or visit their website to get started.

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