Fitness and Oral Health: 5 Smile Protection Tips

Exercising offers a range of health benefits to one’s body. It can help you maintain a healthy body weight, get better sleep, relieve depression, and more. Though exercising is an excellent way to improve your overall health, doing it incorrectly can have a negative impact on your smile. Read on to learn more about how fitness and oral health are connected as well as five ways to protect your smile.

Tip #1: Be Wary of Nutrition Bars

Nutrition bars are often framed as being a healthy source of the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to fuel your workout. Unfortunately, the commercials for these products can be misleading. Many nutrition bars contain dates, raisins, and other sticky fruits, which tend to get stuck to your teeth and are difficult to wash away. This allows them to remain on your teeth for an extended period, which lets cavity-causing bacteria to feed on them and release acids that damage your enamel. It’s better to eat fresh fruit since the sugar levels are less concentrated and things like apples and pears can even increase saliva production.

Tip #2: Skip Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are a popular beverage for athletes and exercise fanatics since they contain electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals in the blood that help your body maintain a healthy water balance as well as promote good muscle and heart health. Unfortunately, sports drinks contain large amounts of sugar and are incredibly acidic. This means that they contribute to the formation of cavities. Drink water instead to keep your mouth moist, wash away food particles, and prevent buildups of harmful oral bacteria.

Tip #3: Breathe Through Your Nose

After an intense workout, many people opt to breathe through their mouths, which can cause it to dry out. This inadequate saliva production lets oral bacteria flourish and raises your risk of oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth can also lead to increased plaque levels. Breathe through your nose instead to avoid these problems.

Tip #4: Protect Against Oral Injuries

If you play football, hockey, or other contact sports or get hit in the face while exercising, this can lead to gum, jaw, or dental damage. Wear a mouthguard while exercising to prevent this. Though many grocery and drug stores sell them over-the-counter, you can also speak with your dentist about having a custom one made.

Tip #5: Avoid Jaw Clenching

Many people clench their jaws while the exercise without even knowing, which releases a stress hormone called cortisol. This may lead to jaw misalignment and airway constriction. Clenching your jaw also puts additional pressure on your enamel and causes it to wear quicker. Consistent jaw joint stress can result in bruxism, a condition characterized by unintentional teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Be mindful of how your jaw is positioned while exercising to avoid these issues.

Knowing how fitness and oral health are related as well as keeping these five things in mind while you workout will go a long way in helping you prevent dental issues. Protecting your pearly whites from harm will let you enjoy your fitness journey with a healthy, happy smile!

About the Practice

Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills offers patients a variety of effective preventive, cosmetic, and restorative oral health treatments. If you have just begun your exercise journey, they can give you information on how fitness and oral health are related so you can take the necessary steps to protect your smile. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment with Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills or are interested in learning more about their services, you can reach them at (410) 902-4110 or visit their website.