If you’re like many others, you’ve resolved to spend more time at the gym this year to lose weight and enhance your physical well-being. Though these are wonderful goals to set for yourself, too much time at the gym has been known to cause dental dilemmas. You wouldn’t want your healthy new habit to cost you your teeth! Continue reading to learn 3 common issues and how you can prevent them.
Problem #1: Dry Mouth
When you’re sweating through an intense workout, you’re more likely to breathe through your mouth as you start huffing air when the intensity rises. Unfortunately, dries you out and hinders saliva production. Spit is your body’s innate moisturizer and disinfectant that keeps unwanted bacteria at bay. Without it, you’re more likely to develop gum disease or bad breath.
It may be challenging at first, but try to inhale and exhale through your nose, instead. This can take some practice until it becomes second nature but it’s worth it to avoid gingivitis. Furthermore, this method actually results in a 10 to 20% increase in oxygen intake, making you a much more proficient athlete.
Problem #2: Jaw Tension
Many people cope with the physical exertion of strenuous exercise, like lifting heavy weights or participating in aerobic activity, by subconsciously grinding their teeth. When you have just another set of reps to get through or are running your final mile, it’s easy to clench down to get through it. This puts additional pressure on your TMJ (temporomandibular joints) that connect your jawbone to your skull. You could develop symptoms like a stiff or locked jaw, headaches, and even broken teeth by bearing down too hard or too frequently.
To shield your pearly whites, use a mouthguard. It rests over your teeth to absorb any force of impact and keeps them from crushing together. There are a few different types and they’re not hard to find, making this an easily accessible solution to your tooth troubles at the gym.
Problem #3: Sugary Sports Drinks
It’s tempting to down sugary sports or energy beverages to give you the energy burst you need to complete your workout, but doing so can hurt your teeth. It attracts toxic microbes that contribute to tooth decay, meaning you might end up with a cavity!
An ideal alternative is water because it hydrates your system so you can better regulate your body temperature during physical activity. It’ll also help keep your mouth moist, so germs don’t thrive. If you’re bound and determined to stick with your canned energy, try diluting it with water so the sugar is less likely to cling to your pearly whites.
Now that you know how to care for your teeth at the gym, you can keep your smile as healthy as the rest of you!
About the Author
Dr. Omid Mehdipour has nearly 25 years of experience improving patients’ lives by enhancing their oral health. He completed his doctorate at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry, then earned his Orthodontic Certificate at Howard University in Washington, DC. That makes him an expert in a wide range of services to meet all of your dental needs. If you’re worried that you’ve developed a problem, you’re welcome to request a consultation on the website or by calling (714) 520-8888.
