It seems unfair, doesn’t it? How can all that hard work you pour into the gym be bad for you? How can all the blood, sweat, and tears you’ve to improve your health shed backfire?
Believe it or not, there are some reasons why exercise isn’t entirely good for you. In this post, you’ll learn how burning calories doesn’t always equate to great oral health.
Sports Drinks Aren’t Good for Your Teeth
There is a reason you see those big orange buckets of Gatorade on the sidelines of football games. But while they may be good at replenishing your electrolytes and rehydrating you, sports drinks can be quite harmful to your oral hygiene. Did you know that Gatorade typically has 13 grams of sugar per 12 fluid ounces?
Sugar-free options are there, but the other factor to consider is these drinks’ acidity. The Academy of General Dentistry published a study in 2012 that found that there is so much acid in sports drinks that it only takes 5 days of consistently drinking them to damage your teeth! The acid eats away at tooth enamel, which can lead to decay, sensitivity, and discoloration.
Risk of Injury Increases During Physical Activity
Maybe you like to get together with your buddies for a little pickup basketball game. All it takes is one accidental elbow to the mouth before you’re short a few teeth, which can lead to all sorts of complications including:
- Soft tissue harm to your tongue, lips, gums, and inner cheeks.
- Bite problems.
- Difficulty eating and speaking.
- Jaw pain and disorders.
Exercise Makes You Breathe with Your Mouth Open
It’s only natural: You start huffing and puffing during your workout and begin breathing through your mouth rather than your nose. The problem is that this dries out the mouth and leads to a decrease in saliva production.
Saliva is a crucial agent in protecting your teeth, whether it’s acting as a natural cleanser of food particles or neutralizing acids through the minerals found in it. Without moisture in your mouth, your chances of developing a cavity or gum infection rise significantly.
Tips to Keeping Your Teeth in Good Shape (Along with Your Body)
Here are some ways to combat the negative effects that exercise can have on your oral health:
- Choose water over sports and energy drinks: Drinking water throughout your workout and the day can limit the loss of electrolytes from exercise that drinks like Gatorade and Powerade provide. Coconut water especially is a good choice as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Wear a mouthguard: Let a protective mouthguard absorb the blows, not your teeth. Mouthguards offer protection for your teeth, jaw, and soft tissues.
- Breathe through your nose: Nasal breathing has benefits such as improved lung capacity, aiding your immune system, and reducing exposure to foreign substances. Plus, it’ll keep your mouth lubricated and your teeth protected.
You may be surprised to learn that exercise can negatively impact your oral health, but with these tips, you can have a strong body and healthy teeth, too!
About the Practice
Have you suffered a dental injury due to physical activity? Let the team at Patriot Dental take care of you. Patriot Dental’s expert professionals are equipped to handle dental emergencies, whether it’s a cracked or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling, or something else. They also offer other services ranging from routine checkups and cleanings to cosmetic dentistry. To make a same-day appointment for an emergency, visit Patriot Dental online or call the office at (850) 477-1120.