When you are setting goals regarding your physical fitness, the last thing you might consider is how your teeth will be affected. But it’s smart to be cognizant of what you can do to protect them as you are fulfilling your exercise objectives.
That way, you can maintain a great smile as you invest the effort into developing a fit body, as well. To keep exercise from harming your teeth, check out these tips from your dentist in Marysville that consider both your fitness and oral health.
Breathe Through Your Nose
After exercising, do you find it easier to take in oxygen by mouth-breathing? You should avoid doing this as much as possible. It can cause your mouth to dry out and produce less saliva, which can be bad news for your teeth. You’re at higher risk for plaque and tartar buildup. Keep your smile safe by breathing through your nose!
Be Careful Not to Clench Your Jaw
Some people may naturally clench their jaws during physical activity. Unfortunately, doing so can lead to the release of cortisol, a stress hormone. When this happens, it can contribute to jaw misalignment and airway constriction. To prevent these problems, try and be more aware of your jaw placement during physical activity.
Be Careful If You Eat Nutrition Bars
Nutrition bars might be advertised as a healthy snack, but they’re just as harmful as a sugary sports drink. Even though they contain ingredients like dates, nuts, raisins, and other fruits, there’s still plenty of added sugar. Also, their sticky texture makes the food stay on teeth longer, leaving your mouth more vulnerable to decay. If you decide to indulge in a nutrition bar, make sure you brush and floss afterward to eliminate harmful substances.
Skip the Sports Drinks in Favor of Water
During and after a workout, you may sip on a sports drink to stay hydrated. Although they do contain electrolytes, they’re also extremely acidic and high in sugar. Unfortunately, those two factors can contribute to tooth decay, cavities, and enamel erosion. Plus, sipping frequently means you’re constantly exposing your mouth to sugar, putting it at even further risk. To keep your smile safe, drink water instead. It’s truly one of the best drinks for your mouth and body.
Invest in Protective Gear
Do you partake in high-speed or high-impact activities like biking, skating, football, hockey, or soccer? You must wear protective gear for your head and mouth. One blow to the face or jaw could easily result in broken, cracked, or chipped teeth, fractured roots, and cut lips. A helmet helps protect not only your head but your mouth from impact as well. On the other hand, a mouthguard simply forms a protective layer over your teeth during contact sports. You can purchase one from a sporting goods store or custom-order one from your dentist.
Before you begin your workout, take a moment to consider how your oral health could be impacted based on what you’ll be doing. If you are mindful of the tips in this blog post, you can develop the body you’ve always wanted while maintaining the smile your oral hygiene regimen and your dentist in Marysville helped you achieve.
About the Practice
At Darby Creek Dental, our trio of dentists is dedicated to helping you reach your smile goals. Dr. David Cleveland earned his dental doctorate at The Ohio State University and received advanced training during a residency at Saint Francis Hospital in Connecticut. Dr. Deric Budendorf earned his dental doctorate at The Ohio State University. He received state-of-the-art training in operative and clinical dentistry during a residency at Mercy Medical Center in Canton. Dr. Kyle Wylde also selected The Ohio State University as the institution to pursue his dental doctorate. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and completed a residency while stationed at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. As you might imagine, the three of them are always ready to make time to sit down and watch an Ohio State Football game. Our dentists support your efforts to be physically fit; they just hope you’ll be mindful about taking care of your teeth along the way. They can check to make sure all is well during a dental cleaning and exam, which you can schedule on their website or by calling (937) 644-8822.