If you’re looking to strengthen your muscles, lose weight, or enhance your cardiovascular health, you may plan to visit the gym more frequently than usual. But remember, while working out more can improve your overall well-being, it might also harm your smile if you don’t take the right precautions.
Read on to learn 3 ways increased exercise can harm your teeth and gums, and how to take preventive steps to avoid common oral issues that often contribute to athletic dental emergencies, such as injuries, tooth decay, or periodontal disease.
Concern #1: Sugary Sports Drinks
If you’re struggling to find the energy to stick to your upgraded exercise routines, you might turn to sports drinks like Gatorade, Bodyarmor, or Powerade to boost your motivation, hydration, and concentration. These drinks often contain helpful ingredients, like electrolytes, that can improve athletic performance during a workout and enhance recovery after high-intensity activities.
However, they also often contain large amounts of sugar, which attracts harmful bacteria that contribute to cavities and gum disease. You can reduce the risk to your teeth and gums by choosing sugar-free options or switching to bottled water.
Concern #2: Teeth Grinding
Have you ever noticed you clench your upper and lower arches together during periods of heightened stress or intense activity? This may be a natural response, but it can also damage your enamel. For example, teeth grinding can cause chips, cracks, or breaks that extend deep into the roots of your teeth, push teeth out of their proper positions, or create a bite misalignment that leads to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) aches or inflammation.
You can help protect your teeth by wearing a custom-fitted oral appliance, such as a mouthguard, which cushions your arches from harm if you tend to grind your teeth during workouts or frequently participate in team sports or other high-contact activities.
Concern #3: Open Mouth Breathing
Did you know that saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against oral issues? It has a nearly neutral pH balance to counter potential acid damage to the enamel, rinses away leftover bits of food that attract germs, and helps prevent harmful bacteria from thriving.
But many athletes accidentally breathe through their mouths when they’re trying to get enough oxygen into their lungs for high-intensity workouts. For instance, you might find yourself huffing and puffing when you go for a fast run. This can dry out your oral cavity, which encourages unwanted microbes to grow. Unfortunately, this increases the risk of dental decay and disease. Meanwhile, breathing through the nose can help protect your smile, as well as relax your jaw and neck muscles, which can also prevent teeth grinding.
Thankfully, making a few minor adjustments to your workout habits can help preserve your grin and avoid potential dental emergencies!
Meet the Author
Dr. Saffa Alani has over a decade of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. She graduated with honors from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and today, she offers a comprehensive menu of services, including same-day emergency visits, to meet your and your family’s unique needs under one roof. Her caring approach, paired with advanced technology, delivers beautiful, comfortable treatment results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (303) 337-3000.