2 Reasons Athletes Need to Guard Their Teeth

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games are well underway, and we’ve already seen some incredible feats of athleticism from the participating Olympians from all over the world.

The physiques of the competing athletes are in top notch shape, and the work put in by each of them to obtain their physical state has its obvious rewards such as strength, agility, & confidence.

Physical fitness is so vital to the health of the human body — physical training stimulates brain chemicals that release endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, all of which are essential to our mental and physical health, and ensure we are functioning at our best every day.

Along with the release of positive brain chemicals, physical training also stimulates the production of collagen, which in turn contributes to bone density, and helps stave off bone related conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

However, there’s an area of the body that can suffer from athleticism and endurance training — that area is the teeth.

There are two main reasons the teeth can fall victim to the otherwise amazing physical benefits of training and athleticism.

1. Dehydration — physical strain placed on the body with consistent training and exercises inadvertently causes some level of dehydration. Constant dehydration and dry mouth leads to cracks in the teeth. This is because when you’re dehydrated, your salivary glands do not produce enough saliva, and that leads to a dry mouth. Saliva is the first step in the digestive process, it is responsible for maintaining the proper pH of your mouth and prevents the growth of bacteria. So when you’re not producing enough saliva at prolonged durations of time, this can lead to tooth decay and cavities caused by bacterial overgrowth.
2. Sugar Consumption — Electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade are consumed in large quantities by competitive athletes to replenish lost fluids. This replenishment is vital for endurance in the sport itself and recovery after. However, due to the copious quantities of sugar and acidic substances in these thirst quenching beverages, they wreak havoc on the teeth. Prolonged exposure to these types of drinks can erode the tooth enamel, leading to increased sensitivity and higher risk of tooth decay. Paired with bacterial overgrowth caused by dehydration, this combination can spell frequent visits to the dentist and lots of dental work.

To prevent these factors from negatively impacting the health of your teeth, pay attention to your hydration efforts and your daily oral care routine.

Stay hydrated. To protect your teeth from damage and decay, you have to keep your mouth from drying out. Since your body needs a water supply to produce saliva, make sure to drink water before, during and after workouts.

Brush and floss — brush at least twice a day, and make sure to floss at least once a day. Pay particular attention to flossing if you supplement with protein bars, as they can be especially starchy and contribute to plaque build up which in turns harbors bacteria.

Prevention — use a fluoride mouthwash such as ACT every day to help protect the enamel of the teeth against erosion from harsh sugary drinks and acids. Additionally, there’s a remineralizing paste called MI Paste which can be applied after brushing and left on the teeth overnight. This simple paste helps remineralize the teeth and if used consistently can significantly reduce the damage caused by the daily habits that negatively impact the teeth. MI Paste can be picked up at the dentist’s office.

If you’re an athlete, looking out for the health of your teeth is just as important as looking out for your physical fitness, as the health of your teeth and gums impacts your overall health in the long term.