Can Your Workout Harm Your Smile? What You Need to Know

You may already know how important it is to exercise, even if it’s a little bit, to help take care of your overall health. It helps keep your heart pumping strong while boosting your immune system. However, working out can even influence the state of your smile. While not all of it is bad, some habits you may have can cause harm and create a dental emergency. Keep reading to learn how and what you can do to protect your oral health.

Does Working Out Affect My Oral Health?

It’s important to know that exercise can keep your pearly whites strong. It helps lower your chance of gum disease, but some things you may do during these activities can have negative consequences.

For instance, people tend to enjoy a sports drink when they get their heart pumping a bit. They are good for getting the electrolytes you need to stay hydrated, but these beverages are often loaded with sugar and acids. This can erode your enamel, and even after just five days of drinking it consistently, some damage can be noticed.

If you do an intense workout, then you’re more likely to breathe through your mouth. This may help you catch your breath easier, but doing so can make it dry. Without saliva to effectively wash away harmful bacteria, they can linger and cause some oral health issues.

Lastly, as you get comfortable with routine, you may be less likely to follow proper safety measures. You put yourself at a higher risk of injuries or blows to the face. A wrong move can leave you with a chipped tooth.

What Can I Do to Protect My Smile?

The good news is that protecting your oral health while you exercise is an easy feat! If you notice that you have some of the habits above, here is what you can do to keep your mouth safe:

• Limit how many sports drinks you have or switch to natural coconut water if you enjoy a flavored taste. Overall, plain water may be your best bet.
• Breathe through your nose to the best of your ability. It will help improve your airflow, but also relax your jaw if you tend to clench it while working out.
• Use a mouthguard if you know you are at risk of receiving a blow to your face.

While exercising can be beneficial for your oral health by preventing gum disease, some habits you have while partaking in it can cause some harm. Consider these tips above to help avoid needing an urgent visit to your dentist!

About the Practice

At Dentistry of Wisconsin, you are in the hands of a compassionate team of dentists who are here to take care of you and your mouth. We understand the importance of working out, but we know how accidents can lead to dental emergencies. By giving our office a call during these situations, we can give you advice on how to care for it until you can visit us as soon as possible. If you want to learn more about how you can protect your grin, schedule an appointment or call our Waupun or Beaver Dam location.