Exercise is generally good for you – this is a fact most people know and understand well. But would you have ever guessed that you would have to protect your teeth from your workout routine?
As it turns out, certain aspects of physical activity can increase your risk of dental damage and cavities. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your good-looking smile for fitness! Keep reading to learn more about the stakes.
Accidents and Injuries
You might be familiar with this first one. Almost any type of physical activity could potentially result in a tooth-chipping fall, but the odds of a pearly white getting damaged or knocked out are definitely higher in high-contact sports like wrestling or hockey. If this is how you prefer to stay fit, there’s a simple solution for your smile: ask your dentist for an athletic mouthguard!
Sugary Sports Drinks
Make no mistake, some sports drinks can be beneficial, especially for your workouts. They often contain electrolytes and other important nutrients to help your body retain water and perform more efficiently. However, a lot of them also contain plenty of sugar. Sugar increases the rate that cavity-causing bacteria will grow on your teeth, so if you consume these drinks frequently you could be at risk!
Make sure you’re aware of what you’re buying; check the ingredients in your favorite sport drink brand. If you’re ready to try alternative solutions, consider sugar-free electrolyte powders, coconut water, aloe water, or just plain ‘ol H2O!
Teeth Clenching
This may or may not make sense at first glance, depending on your sport and activity habits. The easiest way to illustrate it is with weightlifting. Have you noticed that when you’re carrying something heavy, or when you’re simply lifting weights at the gym, your jaw clenches up? It’s pretty normal to bite down on your teeth when you’re straining to move something, but overtime the excess pressure can wear down your protective enamel.
Athletic mouthguards are also a good solution in this case. And it brings up another useful oral health tool: bruxism nightguards. Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) can occur at night, too, completely without your knowledge. Wearing a bruxism nightguard while you sleep can save your enamel from unconscious impact!
To Exercise or Not to Exercise?
Your dentist probably wouldn’t recommend giving up your workout routine! But if you play a high-risk sport or have noticed you tend to have trouble with cavities or jaw pain, it might be a good idea to visit their office for a preventative checkup. Your dentist will help you protect your winning smile!
About the Practice
Dr. Jamie Oshidar and Dr. Ingy Alhelawe are both highly knowledgeable dentists with impressive academic and professional achievements. They’re also warm and friendly people who want to get to know their patients, not just their patients’ teeth! If you’d like more personalized advice about how you can protect your smile while you exercise, they’ll be happy to help – just know that Dr. Oshidar might challenge you to a game of pickleball! To contact their office, call 732-269-3200.