5 Tips for Making Your Oral Health a Priority During a Fitness Journey

A survey conducted by Medifast found that 93% of American adults have health and wellness goals and 84% of them are actively working towards them. Fulfilling fitness goals increases a person’s ability to concentrate, improves mental health, and contributes to overall happiness. As your body becomes healthier, it’s important to also be aware of protecting your teeth. Oral health is often a forgotten piece of physical health. Read these 5 tips from your local dentist to keep your teeth in tip-top shape as you continue on your fitness journey!

#1 Be Aware of Clenching Your Jaw

During exercise, our jaws often become clenched as we exert effort. In turn, this affects our teeth. Jaw clenching puts extra pressure on the enamel and will wear it down over time. Continual stress on jaw joints can trigger bruxism (nightly teeth grinding). Clenching our jaws also releases the stress hormone cortisol, which can contribute to bite misalignment. As you play sports or do other physical activities, be sure to check in with your jaw occasionally to make sure it’s relaxed.

#2 Breathe Through Your Nose

When we breathe heavily during exercise, we tend to breathe through our mouth to get that much-needed oxygen. Breathing through our mouth causes it to dry and produce less saliva. Saliva is necessary to keep a healthy oral pH balance and bad bacteria at bay. Be sure to take deeper breaths through your nose and drink plenty of water to keep your mouth hydrated.

#3 Skip or Dilute Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are always being touted as the “go-to” when exercising. You see them all the time at the store and in commercials. But sports drinks tend to be high in sugar and acid, which can contribute to tooth decay and erosion. Frequent sipping exposes your teeth to further risk. You can skip the sports drink and drink coconut water instead to replace electrolytes. Or you can dilute the sports drink to minimize the sugar and acid and drink the majority of it after your workout.

#4 Be Mindful of Nutrition Bars

While nutrition bars may be packed with healthy ingredients like dates, raisins, nuts, and granola, they can be harmful to teeth. These hard and sticky foods can stick to teeth longer and make them harder to wash away with water, which can lead to decay. Be mindful after you eat a nutrition bar to refuel after a workout; brush and floss soon after eating one or at least rinse with water.

#5 Protect Those Pearly Whites

It has been estimated that 5 million teeth are lost annually due to sports-related injuries. You want strong muscles and lungs, but not at the expense of losing a tooth! Protective gear should be worn during high-speed and high-impact sports like bike riding, skating, and hockey.  This can prevent chipping, fracturing, or breaking a tooth.

Now you are fully prepared to continue your fitness journey and fulfill all your health goals…and your teeth will be just as strong and healthy!

About the Author

Orange Place Family Dentistry serves the community of Beachwood and the surrounding areas. Dr. Koops, Dr. Faist, and Dr. Mollica provide general, cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic dentistry.  Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or have been on it for years, their team can help you achieve optimal oral health. For further information, they can be reached via their website or by phone at 216-464-2448.