Exercise is absolutely wonderful for your overall health. Regularly pushing your body a little bit past its comfort zone is known to strengthen your cardiovascular system, aid in digestion, eliminate toxins, and extend your overall lifespan. However, many exercise enthusiasts have a few bad workout habits that can lead to oral injuries or infections. Here’s a brief guide to a few practices that can be problematic and how to keep your smile healthy during exercise.
Sports Drinks Are Harsh on Your Teeth
Sports drinks are specially formulated to replace what the human body loses through sweat while giving it the carbohydrates it needs to continue performing. While this makes them seem great for athletes, they are also high in acid that erodes dental enamel on contact and sugars that feed harmful oral bacteria. However, sports drinks aren’t all bad; you just have to make sure that you enjoy them in moderation. Having one once a week is harmless for most people.
Dry Mouth and Dehydration Lead to Dental Destruction
Any experienced athlete is extremely aware of the importance of staying hydrated while exercising, and drinking plenty of water is also one of the best things you can do for your oral health. While dehydration has many unpleasant effects on the body, dry mouth is of particular concern for your teeth, and this problem can also arise due to mouth-breathing causing evaporation during intense exercise.
Saliva serves to keep your teeth lubricated to prevent injury and nourished to keep them strong, and an inadequate protective layer of spit will leave your teeth vulnerable to trauma and chemical exposure. If you’re using a soda or sports drink to rehydrate, this lack of saliva can be especially problematic since it leaves the teeth almost defenseless against acid exposure, so it’s best to stick to water. Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth will also protect you from dry mouth while also filtering the air more thoroughly before it reaches your lungs.
Mouthguards Are an Excellent Investment
Many popular sports and physical activities such as basketball, baseball, football, soccer, hockey, martial arts, and skateboarding can lead to serious dental injuries due to falls or blows to the mouth. Thankfully, these injuries can often be prevented by athletic mouthguards. While you can get these products in stores, the best option is a completely customized sportsguard from your dentist that provides superior protection.
Don’t let dental injuries interrupt an enjoyable workout. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best ways to protect your smile during exercise.
About the Practice
Chardon Smile Center offers the finest oral health services in town. Led by Drs. Christopher R. Phillips and Brian J. Titus, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys a pleasant experience in a friendly and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about protecting your smile during exercise, contact the practice online or dial (440) 286-2474.