The majority of us have long understood the value of physical activity in preserving our overall health and fitness. Working out and exercising regularly are highly important when it comes to maintaining good overall health, as we know at Quest Dental.
Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Safe While Exercising
Nonetheless, there are situations when athletic activities put our oral health at danger. Our Eugene Dentist Have addressed some of these issues in this article.
The Advantages
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to exercise and oral health. On the plus side, current studies show that regular exercise reduces the risk of gum disease by 54 percent and that even light exercise reduces the risk of periodontal disease by 33 percent.
Beyond these fundamentals, the link between a healthy body mass index (BMI) and good oral health should not be overlooked. According to these same research, people who maintain a healthy weight through exercise and eat a nutritious food had a 40% decreased risk of developing dental health problems.
The Drawbacks
On the other hand, in order to offer a balanced picture, it’s important to recognize that, in addition to its many benefits, physical activity has some threats to your dental health that should not be overlooked.
1) Injury
The most evident danger to dental health related with exercise is physical damage. A ball, bat, elbow, or foot, to mention a few, can cause soft tissue damage to the lips, tongue, gums, and inner cheeks, as well as damage to teeth. These injuries can lead to a subsequent infection if left untreated.
Furthermore, tooth injury or loss might cause the remaining teeth to shift, resulting in biting issues and even trouble speaking and eating. The development of temporomandibular jaw (TMJ) pain and problem is also a possibility.
2) Sugary Sports Drinks
It’s critical to stay hydrated during intense activity, but sports drinks pose a risk that’s commonly neglected. Yes, they’re high in electrolytes, but they’re also high in sugar and acid, and drinking them for as little as five days can cause tooth decay. To put it another way, by drinking sports beverages during your workouts, you’re practically bathing your teeth in acid, which is not good for your oral health.
3) Saliva Composition
In addition to the research stated previously, another conducted in Scandinavia discovered that those who exercised for long periods of time had a higher pH or alkaline content in their saliva while producing less saliva. Higher alkalinity and less saliva neutralized the proteins in saliva that help prevent tooth decay, increasing the risk of cavities.
4) Mouth Breathing
This risk is linked to a decrease in saliva production in your mouth. When we exercise, we frequently breathe through our mouth, which reduces saliva production and provides an ideal habitat for bacteria in our mouth to thrive, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
Protection and Avoidance
Fortunately, there are a few precautions you can take to keep your teeth and gums safe when exercising.
- Wear a mouthguard to lessen the risk of experiencing a mouth injury, especially if you’re participating in contact sports.
- When it comes to hydration, avoid sugary sports drinks in favor of water, which includes coconut water.
Regular Dental Care at Your Dentist in Eugene, Oregon
In addition to encouraging your children to engage in regular exercise, we hope you’ll schedule regular dental checkups for them with our dental experts at Quest Dental. Contact us today to schedule a complete and thorough examination of your child’s teeth and gums, and while you’re at it, why not book your checkup as well?