How Exercising in 2025 Can Affect Your Dental Health

As we enter 2025, many of us have set goals and resolutions for ourselves – some of us might want to eat healthier, work out more often, take better care of our smiles, or improve ourselves in various other ways. Getting fit tends to be one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but did you know that exercise affects your dental health? Here’s more about this interesting connection along with how to ensure you’re able to stay active all year long with a healthy, bright smile on your face!

1. Teeth Grinding Can Harm Your Jaw

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition that many people suffer from. It often occurs at nighttime, but several people also often tend to grind their teeth or clench their jaws while working out. Bruxism can lead to damaged tooth enamel, due to the excess pressure that is being placed on the teeth. Likewise, it can damage the muscles surrounding the jaws, as well as the TMJ, which are the joints that connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. Many dentists offer custom-made athletic mouthguards that can reduce the impact of bruxism, in addition to their primary purpose – protecting teeth from dental injuries during physical activity.

2. Be Mindful of Sugary Sports Drinks

A lot of athletes these days prefer to rehydrate by drinking sports drinks or energy drinks. The electrolytes found in these beverages can indeed help your body to refuel and stay hydrated during an intense workout, but they can actually prove harmful to your teeth. A study published by the Academy of General Dentistry found that there is so much acid in some of these sports drinks, damage can occur in less than a week. Not to mention, many other beverages also have high amounts of sugar – and unless you’re stopping mid-workout to brush your teeth, your pearly whites will be bathed in sugar throughout the whole workout!

3. Open Mouth Breathing Can Dry Out Your Mouth

During intense exercise, people often tend to breathe heavily with an open mouth. Mouth breathing dries out your mouth, reducing saliva flow and creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. Add corrosive sports drinks into the mix, and things are only made worse. If you’re participating in a cardio workout and feeling out of breath, aim to breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth to lessen how dry your mouth becomes. Of course, you should also try to drink water throughout your activity to refresh your mouth.

The last thing you should want to happen is to suffer a dental injury while trying to get into shape heading into the new year; by knowing what threats to look out for, you can ensure your smile remains happy and healthy as you achieve all your 2025 resolutions!

About the Practice

Our team here at West Brookfield Dental has proudly served the needs of patients and families in the West Brookfield area, offering a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services, as well as others. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to schedule a visit for yourself or a loved one, please feel free to visit us online or call today for more information. Telephone: (508) 867-2777.

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