{"id":14291,"date":"2023-05-11T12:33:03","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T12:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/?p=14291"},"modified":"2026-01-08T19:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T19:39:24","slug":"how-exercise-can-damage-your-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/2023\/05\/11\/how-exercise-can-damage-your-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How Exercise Can Damage Your Teeth (& What You Can Do About It)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exercising regularly comes with a multitude of benefits, from improved sleep quality and boosted self-esteem to a reduced risk of having a stroke. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned athlete or a newbie in the world of working out, it\u2019s important to be aware of how exercise can damage your teeth. That way, you can protect your smile while enjoying all of the benefits of being active; you\u2019ll have the best of both worlds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

#1. Clenching Your Teeth While Lifting Weights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the last few decades, weightlifting has become extremely popular. From the ability to tone your muscles to the health benefits (like protecting your joints from injury), it\u2019s not surprising either! If you\u2019re interested in incorporating this exercise into your weekly routine, then it\u2019s important that you don\u2019t clench your teeth. This often happens subconsciously when people are putting their maximum effort into those last few reps. Unfortunately, this can result in dental emergencies<\/a>, like a cracked or fractured tooth. So, do your best to keep your jaw relaxed and your teeth unclenched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. Drinking Sports Drinks During Your Workout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since they contain electrolytes, many exercise enthusiasts enjoy sipping on sports drinks before, during, or after their workout. However, many sports drinks have upwards of 21 grams of sugar! Therefore, indulging in this beverage regularly can significantly increase your risk of developing tooth decay. That\u2019s why dentists encourage their patients to opt for plain water instead. In addition to keeping you hydrated, h2O can rinse away food particles and prevent dry mouth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. Breathing Through Your Mouth While Exercising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re winded \u2013 whether it\u2019s from running that last mile or lifting a heavier weight \u2013 it\u2019s natural to begin breathing through your mouth. In short, this can dry out your mouth and reduce saliva flow; two things that can lead to cavities. One of the best things to do is keep a bottle of water on hand and consistently sip it throughout your workout to help prevent that from happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Your Dentist Can Help You Protect Your Smile!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Good news: you won\u2019t have to compromise your workout goals for the sake of your smile. As your greatest ally when it comes to your oral health, your dentist can provide personalized recommendations on how to keep your smile healthy from home. They can make you a custom mouthguard<\/a> as well! That way, your teeth and gums are effectively protected while you exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our team at Westgate Dental Care<\/a> is truly here for all of your dental needs, from mouthguards to protect your smile to emergency dentistry if you accidentally sustain a dental injury during your workout. We have early morning, evening, and weekend hours as well, so scheduling a time to visit us is convenient too. If you would like to learn more about how to protect your smile or you want to schedule an appointment, don\u2019t hesitate to visit our website<\/a> or call (847) 577-7171<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Exercising regularly comes with a multitude of benefits, from improved sleep quality and boosted self-esteem to a reduced risk of having a stroke. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned athlete or a newbie in the world of working out, it\u2019s important to be aware of how exercise can damage your teeth. That way, you can protect your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Exercise Can Damage Your Teeth | Westgate Dental Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re an athlete or you\u2019re new to working out, keep reading to learn how exercise can damage your teeth (and how to protect your smile!).\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westgatedentalcare.net\/blog\/2023\/05\/11\/how-exercise-can-damage-your-teeth\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"How 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