Can Exercise Damage My Teeth?

The body needs regular exercise to stay healthy, but it’s important to watch out for your teeth as well. While working out and playing sports have many significant benefits for your physical and mental health, physical activity can lead to dental injuries if you don’t take the proper precautions. Here are a few ways working out can lead to dental injuries as well as how you can keep your smile safe while you sweat.

Working Out Can Dehydrate You

While people generally have a fair understanding of why staying hydrated is so important for their physical health, many aren’t aware of how important it is for their teeth. Adequate hydration levels allow your body to produce a healthy flow of saliva, and saliva is an essential part of your mouth’s natural cleaning process. It helps flush harmful substances, food debris, and bacteria away from your teeth while keeping them lubricated and mineralized to prevent injuries.

Unfortunately, working out can significantly reduce your saliva levels, especially if you resort to open-mouth breathing to increase airflow. The best thing to do when exercising is to drink water at regular intervals or whenever you are thirsty. This will keep your body hydrated and your saliva flowing liberally.

Sports Drinks Can Be Bad for Your Teeth

Sports drinks have made a real splash in the athletic world because they quickly replace the carbs, electrolytes, and water that the body loses during an intense workout. Unfortunately, these beverages are full of sugar, acid, and pigment that can be harmful to your teeth. Sugar feeds harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease while acid begins eroding your enamel on contact. Pigments, on the other hand, can become bonded to your enamel, resulting in stains or discoloration. Stick with water as your primary workout beverage.

Contact Sports Can Lead to Oral Trauma

Many people enjoy contact sports like soccer, hockey, football, or basketball, and many more enjoy riding a bike. While these are all great ways to get exercise, they can lead to some nasty oral injuries if something goes wrong. That’s why it’s so important to wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports or riding a bike. These devices can absorb much of the impact of a blow to the mouth, keeping your teeth safe for many games or rides in the future.

Sports should be about getting exercise and having fun rather than dental injuries. By watching out for your teeth when you’re working out, you can help ensure that you have a shiny white smile to go with your newly toned muscles.

About the Practice

Rubal Dentistry Azle delivers fantastic dental services to the community of Azle, TX. Led by Drs. Frank and Jodie Rubal, the staff ensures each patient receives compassionate treatment in a friendly and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about how to protect your smile while exercising, contact the office online or dial (817) 444-2585.