If and when you exercise, you likely take the “normal” safety precautions folks know. You might do some warm-up stretches, stay hydrated, keep an eye on your surroundings, etc. Still, those alone aren’t enough; you should also adopt smile-specific guidelines since exercise can harm your oral health. You’ll then be able to work out without having to worry about your grin. As for the protective steps to take, let your Indianapolis dentist explain them in the primer below.
Yes, Exercise Can Harm a Smile
The risks of exercise don’t stop at pulled muscles or chest pain. As it turns out, the pursuit of physical fitness might damage your grin due to:
Acidic Drinks
Sporty drinks with electrolytes are great hydrators, but they aren’t great for teeth. A 2012 study from General Dentistry found that these beverages erode enamel. Such drinks are highly acidic, so guzzling them during a workout can wear down your pearly whites and cause cavities. Even worse, just sipping them exposes your mouth to more sugar than if you downed the whole beverage.
Open Mouth Breathing
Many breathe through their mouths while exercising, but this habit is bad for one’s smile. Open-mouth breathing is known to dry out one’s oral cavity and reduce the flow of saliva. In other words, it attracts harmful bacteria that increase your risk of cavities, gum disease, and similar problems. The danger is even greater for athletes, as they have more opportunities to perform open-mouth breathing.
Oral Injuries
In truth, exercising can cause injuries related to your mouth. A misstep, collision, or fall will often lead to chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, and so on. If you’re especially unlucky, you might even cut your lips, tongue, or inner cheeks and develop secondary infections.
Protecting Your Grin from Exercise
To keep your workouts smile-friendly, try using these tips:
- Remember Oral Hygiene – Brush and floss daily and see your dentist for regular checkups.
- Hydrate with Water – Instead of sports drinks, hydrate yourself with bottled water. It isn’t acidic or sugary and won’t erode your enamel.
- Breathe Through Your Nose – When exercising, do your best to breathe through your nose. This approach won’t dry out your mouth or attract harmful bacteria.
- Use a Mouthguard – You can prevent many oral injuries and accidents by wearing a mouthguard.
In the end, exercise doesn’t have to harm your oral health. Just note the guidance above so you and your smile both stay fit!
About the Practice
Evergreen Dental is based in Indianapolis, IN. Led by Drs. Hannah and Kenneth Leezer, our practice is always striving to give you an “evergreen” grin with lasting health and beauty. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dentistry, with treatment results tailored to your smile. Our team is also ready and able to perform emergency oral care on short notice. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (317)-284-1850.