With the new year off to a great start, many people are thinking about resolutions again. If you’re one of the 96 million American adults whose 2025 goals include getting fit, that’s great news for your body and mind. But did you know that exercise can be dangerous to your oral health? Whether you’re hitting the gym, the track, or the yoga mat this year, here’s what you need to know about protecting your smile when you exercise!
Taking the Good with the Bad
The great news about exercise is that it not only benefits your mental health and overall health, but it can also help your oral health in some ways, too. In fact, people who work out have a 33 percent lower risk of developing gum disease than those who don’t!
But despite these benefits, there are still increased dangers to your smile, too. Here are just a few, and what you can do to reduce your risk of injury!
Injury Risk
With any sport, there is always a risk of injury. Whether it’s falling on the ice, getting hit in the mouth by a baseball, or chipping or cracking a tooth from tooth grinding while lifting weights, it’s important to mitigate these risks if you’re planning on participating.
For sports, your dentist can create a custom mouthguard that fits comfortably and protects your teeth from accidental damage like a stray puck or accidental elbow. For weightlifters or anyone who may grit or grind their teeth when exerting physical strain, a bite guard can help absorb pressure from your teeth and prevent excess wear or breakage.
Sports Drinks
Another sneaky culprit that could harm your oral health is sports drinks. Though these brightly colored beverages are an excellent way to deliver hydration and replenish lost electrolytes, they are often packed in sugar and can increase your risk of developing cavities. Therefore, it is recommended that you limit the consumption of this type of drink and stick to water if possible. If you do consume the occasional sports drink, be sure to drink water after, and brush and floss your teeth well during your oral hygiene routine.
Mouth Breathing & Saliva
When you exercise, it’s not uncommon to breathe through your mouth. But while there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, it can cause some oral health problems. For starters, mouth breathing can dry out your mouth. Unfortunately, this robs your mouth of important saliva that can wash away dangerous bacteria. A dry mouth creates an ideal environment for them to thrive, increasing your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Furthermore, studies have shown that working out affects the pH of your saliva, too. The more you work out, the lower the amount you produce, and the higher the alkalinity of what you do create. Unfortunately, higher levels of alkalinity have been found to neutralize the proteins in your remaining saliva to prevent tooth decay!
Thus, make a concerted effort to breathe through your nose during your workout, and stay hydrated with plenty of water, too.
Remember, working out and getting fit is an excellent way to stay healthy, lose weight, and reduce the risk of many dangerous medical conditions as you age. But it can also increase your risk of oral health problems if you’re not careful. So, this year, before you begin your fitness journey, be sure you’re keeping your teeth and gums safe while you do!
About Our Practice
At Dentistry at Windermere, we believe in the connection between oral and overall health, and we strive to help each of our patients achieve optimal health and wellness. If you are embarking on a fitness journey this year, make sure you’ve got all the necessary tools for success, including a sports mouthguard or bite guard. If you’re interested in learning more about your options for these devices, please schedule a consultation today. If you are experiencing a sport related oral health injury, please contact us at your earliest convenience for an urgent appointment by visiting our website, or for faster service, please call our friendly office team at 770-205-1212.