When you think of it, there seems to be no relation between exercise and your teeth. But there can be. In fact, some experts say that exercise and running can be tough for dental health. According to a small study, published in a journal, it has been found out that there is a higher rate of cavities and erosion among people who do heavy endurance training. Runners are also found to have the same problem.

How Your Workout Might Be Bad for Your Teeth

Working out in itself is not bad for your teeth. What makes exercise and your teeth a difficult mix are the habits that you are likely to commit or do when exercising.  Here are some of the things that explain why or how exercise affects your teeth.

  • Taking in sugar-rich foods and drinks to compensate for the burned calories. A lot of athletes and workout enthusiasts commit the mistake of taking too much sugar through gets, sports drinks and chews. These produce acid that unfortunately, in the long run, eats away the enamel that protects the teeth.
  • Breathing through the mouth. This habit can dry the mouth, which means less saliva and more bacteria and acid in the mouth.
  • Eating protein bars. These energy bars can damage crowns and fillings. The hard and gooey texture of these bars can be harmful to the crowns and fillings.
  • Using the teeth to open things like bars, chews, and others.
  • Grinding during workouts. Runners, athletes and fitness buffs tend to have the habit of grinding their teeth when exerting too much force or when lifting heavy objects. Grinding is a bad dental habit, as it can cause the molars and canines to get worn out.

What You Can Do About Exercise and Your Teeth

The first thing that you should do to reduce the problems of exercise and your teeth is to avoid and correct the bad habits when you are working out. For each bad habit, there should always be a fix. For instance, whenever you take sugary energy drinks or chew a sugar-based gum, you must rinse your mouth after and drink some water. Drinking water also helps keep the mouth hydrated, which keeps the bacteria away and neutralizes the acid.

It also helps if you wear a mouth guard to prevent grinding during workouts. Just avoid the bad habits to reduce the problems of exercise and your teeth. You must also couple this with good dental habits, like brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, and of course, getting regular dental checkups.

Get Assessed for Exercise-Related Dental Problems

If you are an athlete, a runner or a fitness buff, do not wait for the symptoms of problems with exercise and your teeth to start popping up before you go to the dentist. As they say, prevention is always better. You may not feel it or see any problem with your teeth, but you can never be really sure. Get assessed for any exercise-related dental problems that might have. Something good always comes out when you have your teeth checked regularly.

Make sure that you only go to the trusted dental authority if you’re worried about exercise and your teeth. Get your teeth checked out at EVDP. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.