Sport can affect the condition of your teeth. Surprising? And yet! Professional athletes are a group where oral he alth problems are very common and among a large percentage. This has been shown, for example, by the research of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. They showed that among the English leagues more than 50 percent. suffers from enamel erosion, and in over 40 percent cavities were found. How it's possible? And why do we also, by regularly practicing physical activity, are exposed to the deterioration of the condition of our teeth?
Sport is he alth. Are you sure that this constantly repeated saying is correct? As the results of the British Journal of Sports Medicine research show, probably not entirely. Especially that practicing sports professionally is also associated with many other risks. Fortunately, regular physical activity that all of us can enjoy is free of them. But is it to the end? Not. Our teeth are exposed to similar harmful factors that professional athletes face every day.
Thirst threatens teeth …
Jogging or cycling are associated with sustained effort. If you are physically active, you are certainly familiar with it. So is the feeling of dry mouth. Increased thirst is a natural consequence of exercise.
Then the body, in order to cool down, secretes sweat, with which water and many necessary minerals are excreted. What's more, exercise causes the release of adrenaline, which constricts the blood vessels. It also makes you feel thirsty as your salivary glands produce less saliva. The same happens for another, prosaic reason - then we breathe through our mouths.
Hydrate "wisely"
What you quench your thirst affects your teeth. Is it water or is it the popular isotonic drinks? The latter keep the body hydrated well, but have drawbacks.
- The high acidity of sports drinks can lead to enamel erosion. It consists in chronic damage to the hard tissues of the teeth, which in turn makes us vulnerable to hypersensitivity and caries - says Dr. Przemysław Stankowski, dentist Stankowscy & Białach Stomatologia. In addition, they contain sugar, which gives a great field for the development of cariogenic bacteria. How to fix this problem?
- Hydration is the best choicewater. You can also use isotonic drinks, but the natural ones, free from sugar harmful to teeth - explains Dr. Stankowski.
Regular fluid supply during exercise is also important. Why? It is associated with less saliva secretion. It is responsible for flushing pathogenic bacteria and food debris from the mouth and interdental spaces. - This also changes the pH of the saliva. Exercise increases the concentration of sodium ions, and therefore the pH in the mouth becomes acidic - adds the specialist.
"Swimmer's teeth"
You don't have to be a professional swimmer and spend most of the day at the pool. It is enough that you are a regular visitor to the swimming pool. Chlorine is not an ally for oral he alth.
- Chlorine softens the enamel and, like drinking sports drinks, leads to its damage and erosion - says Dr. Stankowski. - It also dries the mucosa, causing irritation and hypersensitivity - she adds.
This is not the end of the problems. Swimmers often struggle with a problem known as "swimmer's teeth." What is that? These are unsightly discolorations on the teeth, resembling those of heavy smokers.
How to deal with these threats? After all, we have no influence on the concentration of chlorine in the pool water. The solution is more frequent visits to the dentist's office. Regular control by a specialist will allow you to react in time to negative changes caused by systematic contact with chlorine.
Passive or active lifestyle?
There are, unfortunately, more threats. Increasing the amount of carbohydrates consumed, which are the primary source of energy, or uncontrolled clenching of the teeth are other dangers.
They should not, however, overshadow the positive aspects of regular physical activity. It makes us he althier and happier. We reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, prevent osteoporosis, strengthen immunity, and regulate metabolism. We increase mental performance, relieve stress, and the happiness hormones secreted during exercise are an excellent antidepressant. We should only visit the dentist more often. An active lifestyle and keeping your teeth under control will bring many he alth benefits.