{"id":275,"date":"2023-05-05T00:12:43","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T00:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=275"},"modified":"2023-05-23T00:15:14","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T00:15:14","slug":"how-exercise-can-harm-your-pearly-whites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.universitydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/05\/how-exercise-can-harm-your-pearly-whites\/","title":{"rendered":"How Exercise Can Harm Your Pearly Whites"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re someone who tries to lead a healthy lifestyle, one thing that you\u2019re probably good about is staying active\u2014after all, regular exercise is arguably one of the best ways to stay fit and promote a healthy heart, among other benefits. But did you know that exercise can also sometimes negatively impact your oral health? However, that doesn\u2019t mean you should give up your fitness regimen! Here\u2019s more from your dentist<\/a> about how exercise can sometimes hurt your teeth and gums, along with some ways to avoid this damage and effectively safeguard your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Exercise Impacts Your Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are all sorts of ways to exercise and stay active; whether you enjoy going for a run, a bike ride or a swim, all of these activities undoubtedly strengthen the body and improve overall wellness. However, it doesn\u2019t take long for the effects of intense exercise or physical activity to take its toll on your teeth and gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One major problem that can arise is bruxism, which is characterized by teeth grinding and clenching the jaw. These habits can occur unconsciously during exercise, whether you\u2019re doing cardio or lifting weights, and the resulting excess pressure can lead to chipped or fractured teeth, as well as issues that affect the jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During exercise, people also tend to breathe heavily through their open mouths, which can greatly reduce the flow of saliva. Since saliva is the mouth\u2019s first line of defense against bacteria, needless to say, you\u2019ll be at an increased risk if you aren\u2019t properly hydrating to counteract dry mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, it\u2019s also worth mentioning that sports beverages can prove detrimental to oral health. Though they often have beneficial ingredients like electrolytes, it\u2019s worth noting and avoiding their high amounts of sugar and acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Advice for Protecting Your Smile During Exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to sacrifice the health and beauty of your smile to stay active\u2014there are many things you can do to protect your pearly whites and<\/em> reach your fitness goals. Here are some tips to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n