It’s not uncommon for most people to make losing weight their primary New Year’s Resolution. The idea of shedding unwanted pounds is attractive, especially after the holidays. But have you considered how getting healthy can put your smile at risk? While it might seem like a far-fetched notion, read on to discover what you can do to get in shape without endangering your oral health.
Exercise & Your Smile: How One Impacts the Other
Whether it’s lifting weights or doing cardio, working out can be a great way to relieve stress and lose weight. But what you may not realize is that these useful tactics to tone muscle and say goodbye to fat can be harmful to your teeth and gums. How? Here are a few ways:
- Worn-Down Tooth Enamel: When lifting weights, you may begin clenching your teeth. This can cause enamel erosion over time as well as chronic jaw pain.
- Mouth Breathing: As your heart rate increases, you begin to breathe faster and more heavily. This can cause you to breathe through your mouth instead of your nose. As a result, dry mouth can occur, which reduces saliva production and makes it easier for bacteria to thrive.
- Hydrating with Sports Drinks: Staying hydrated is important while working out; however, consuming these sugary and acidic beverages only increases your risk of cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion.
Ways to Protect Your Smile While Working Out
Prioritizing your overall health is important, and exercise is a pivotal component when it comes to getting healthy. If you want to make sure that your teeth and gums remain in optimal shape while you work on the rest of your body, here are a few tips that can help:
- Drink Water: Water is a hydrating beverage that is healthy to consume and beneficial to the mouth and body. Not only does it flush out bacteria and food particles, but it also stimulates your salivary glands, which help to neutralize acids that can cause cavities.
- Wear a Mouthguard: No matter if you’re lifting weights or going for a run, wearing a protective mouthguard can give your smile the protection it needs should you sustain a dental injury.
- Practice Breathing Exercises: While it might not be as strenuous as other forms of exercise, trying out nose breathing techniques can help reduce dry mouth. Not only does it protect your teeth and gums, but it can also increase your lung capacity and lower your blood pressure.
- Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine: Brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing at least once before bedtime, and rinsing accordingly can ensure the health of your smile long after your workout is complete.
Don’t let your weight loss goals cause you to experience dental damage. By keeping these helpful tips in mind, you can ensure a healthier smile and body throughout the year.
About the McCarl Dental Group
McCarl Dental Group consists of multiple dentists who take oral health and hygiene seriously. We also recognize how the mouth and body are closely connected. When getting in shape and losing weight is the goal of a patient, we can provide useful tips to safeguard teeth and gums from accidental damage while exercising. Call our dental office to find out what you can do to keep your smile better protected when visiting the gym.