Exercise Has An Unexpected Effect On Your Teeth
Even a small amount of exercise, no matter how intense, can have numerous health benefits. It can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke; improve brain function; and enhance overall physical health. However, you may not realize that exercise can also have a negative impact on oral health. Surprisingly, a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports in 2014 revealed that individuals who regularly engage in physical exercise have more eroded tooth enamel than their sedentary counterparts.
How can exercise, which is so good for our overall fitness, affect our teeth negatively? There are actually many factors at play, including the amount of saliva produced during exercise, the levels of alkaline in the mouth, and the physical stress that our teeth undergo. But don’t worry; being aware of these potential dental issues can help you take steps to counteract any harmful effects while still enjoying the many benefits of physical activity.
The link between exercise and dental erosion
The 2014 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports examined the relationship between oral health and endurance training. The study comprised a group of 35 triathletes and a control group of equal size who did not exercise regularly. The research included a comprehensive oral examination, evaluations of tooth erosion and caries (commonly called cavities), saliva testing, and detailed questionnaires on participants’ dietary habits, beverage consumption, and oral hygiene practices. The most remarkable finding was that endurance athletes displayed a significantly higher prevalence of dental erosion compared to non-exercising individuals. While athletes and non-exercisers had a similar rate of cavities, athletes experienced a decrease in saliva flow rate and an increase in saliva pH during exercise. On top of that, the study also showed that the more time athletes spent on training, the higher their risk of developing cavities.