How Exercise Affects Your Oral Health

When was the last time you visited the gym? How about the last time you went for a jog? Regular exercise is very important for maintaining a healthy body—but did you know that exercise also affects your mouth? In fact, exercise can have quite a few unintended consequences on your oral health, even leading to dental emergencies in some cases! Keep reading to learn more about the impact that exercise can have on your oral health along with some tips for keeping your smile in top shape.

How Exercise Can Damage Your Smile

It doesn’t take long for the effects of intense exercise or physical activity to begin taking a toll on your oral health. The problem often starts with jaw-clenching or teeth grinding—both are common during high-intensity workouts or certain spots. If you engage in regular exercise and develop a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, it can lead to fractured or chipped teeth, or even holes in your teeth! It can also damage your jaw joints—and a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder can even develop.

However, exercise also poses other risks to your oral health. During exercise, people also often tend to breathe heavily through their open mouth. This dries out your mouth and greatly reduces the flow of saliva, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. On top of that, adding corrosive sports drinks to the mix only makes things worse for your teeth. These beverages often contain high amounts of sugars and acids along with their beneficial electrolytes, meaning they aren’t good for your teeth!

Tips for Protecting Your Smile During Exercise

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure that your mouth stays protected while you exercise—you don’t have to ease up on your fitness goals! Consider the following:

• Limit your consumption of sugary beverages like sports and energy drinks—opt for water instead, as it’s the absolute best thing you can drink for your body and oral health.
• Eat a well-balanced, vitamin- and nutrient-rich diet.
• Try to breathe through your nose while you exercise to decrease your risk of cavities.
• Wear a mouth guard during both contact and non-contact sports to reduce the risk of physical trauma. This can also discourage you to grind or clench your teeth.
• Practice good oral hygiene by brushing daily, flossing, and regularly visiting your dentist for checkups and cleanings.

Even though it might not seem like it, physical activity and exercise can greatly influence what’s going on inside your mouth. That said, there are still many things you can do to ensure that your body and your smile are both in the absolute best shape possible!

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey F. Hermen has proudly served patients and families in the Oklahoma City area for nearly 30 years! Dr. Hermen received his dental doctorate from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry and is a member of the Oklahoma Dental Association and has also served on the board for the Oklahoma County Dental Society for over 20 years. His practice is pleased to offer a wide range of available services including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic options. To schedule a visit, feel free to reach out online or by phone at (405) 621-2100.