Maintaining optimum oral health is a must for everyone—even more so for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Not many people are aware of this fact, but your overall oral condition actually has an impact on physical fitness. Toorak dentists and every other dental clinic encourage athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike to take better care of their oral cavities by exercising added dental practices. For today’s article, we’ll be talking about how the two are interconnected and tips on how to achieve and obtain optimal oral health.
How does exercise affect your dental health?
We’ve always been vocal about how exercises are good for the body since there are countless benefits from getting your heart pumping and being mobile for a certain time. But the truth is that exercise and other sports-related activities can actually damage your oral health, and here’s how:
It can cause oral injuries.
Football, rugby, cricket, and soccer are a few of the most popular sports in Australia—and guess what they all have in common? They’re practically contact sports, especially rugby, wherein the players come in contact with others. Some of the most common mouth injuries seen in these sports include soft tissue injuries like cuts and bruises to the lips or gums.
Dental-wise, issues that may arise from a fall or trauma are:
Chipped or cracked tooth. When an individual suffers a blow to the face, there’s a high chance a crack may develop, which dental professionals refer to as “craze lines.” These can be hairline cracks seen running across the tooth and aren’t a cause for worry, but if you see the cracks start from the crown downward, then you’ve got yourself a legit cracked tooth. With this, the inner layer of the tooth is exposed, making you more reactive toward pain and hypersensitivity.
A cracked tooth can be pretty uncomfortable, not to mention the fact that you can feel a sharp pain once you try biting into something. Consuming hot or cold food can also be a struggle because of your sensitivity. But what’s most worrying about all of this is that because the outer enamel of your teeth is now exposed, the subsequent layers may follow and worsen in time. This is why it’s crucial to head straight to emergency dentist Toorak to get your cracked tooth checked and fixed ASAP.
Misaligned teeth. Otherwise referred to as malocclusion, misaligned teeth are pretty common among children, but others have the misfortune of developing this condition. For athletes, a blow from a certain angle could lead to this, followed by a couple of health issues like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, jaw pain or popping, speech problems, headaches from the constant grinding of the teeth, and even sleep issues, to name a few.
Aside from misaligned teeth, there’s also tooth intrusion, wherein instead of your teeth getting knocked out, they’re driven further into your jawbone. This causes immense pain and a pretty lengthy recovery since it could lead to complications.
Tooth loss. If the force is too much, there’s also a chance that your tooth could get knocked out. But don’t panic; you just need to act fast and clean the tooth, placing it back in its respective socket. But if you find it hard to return it, just put it in a cup of milk or inside your mouth, then quickly head to the nearest dental clinic for emergency treatment.
Grinding teeth is detrimental to your oral health.
Sports can be pretty intense—that’s a known fact we all know of. When athletes are in the zone or feeling the intensity, sometimes they develop habits like teeth grinding, which is pretty common in high-intensity activities.
Helpful oral tips for active individuals.
Aside from basic oral care, there are a couple of practices people with an active lifestyle can incorporate into their dental routine to ensure their overall oral health is in good condition.
Drink water. The foundation of good health always stems from drinking water. Aside from replenishing your body fluids excreted during activities, drinking water also rinses away bacteria from your mouth, preventing plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Eat a balanced diet. Athletes and health enthusiasts know the drill: you must eat well to feel good. Consuming less processed food can do wonders for your body, and while you’re at it, you might also want to cut down on your sugar intake. Instead of reaching for the nearest chip or pretzel, try to nibble on sliced fruits or nuts instead. After all, a well-balanced diet goes a long way in keeping your dental health and overall well-being in prime condition.
Rinse your mouth after drinking sports beverages. It’s a known fact that everything we consume has a direct influence on every aspect of our health—just take a look at how coffee culture impacts dental health. Mindful consumption is the key, along with a few practices.
After all, sports beverages are a must for every athlete—they’re packed with nutrients good for the body. At the same time, these beverages are also loaded with sugar that erodes teeth enamel when left unchecked. To prevent this from happening, make sure to rinse your mouth with water after drinking them.
Consider using mouthguards. Some believe that mouthguards can only be used in contact sports like boxing, but the truth is that they can be used for any sport or activity, especially if the individual wearing them is prone to falling or flying equipment. When you think about it, practically every sport falls under this since there’s always the possibility of getting a mouth injury.
Post-workout oral care.
Compared to us, regular folks, athletes also need to take extra precautions to keep their mouths healthy. After every session, they should do the following so they can maintain prime oral health:
Wait before brushing. It’s understandable to want to scrub yourself clean and brush your teeth after every workout to clean off the grime. However, it’s best to hold off brushing since you could be producing acidic sweat. This is caused by your body’s inability to break down acid or just excessive exercise. Brushing your teeth immediately could thin out your tooth enamel, so it’s highly recommended you wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing.
Hydrate. Finally, hydration is paramount to replenishing your body fluids and stimulating saliva production to protect your teeth and prevent dry mouth.
To wrap it up, following the aforementioned tips could help individuals with active lifestyles to enjoy their healthy smiles longer and keep their teeth and gums in top condition.