Dental health and maintenance of physical fitness both go hand in hand in keeping one healthy, fit, and active. Many of us exercise regularly, mainly for physical reasons or to look young and youthful.
But did you also know that maintaining good health and exercising regularly can also have a positive influence on your dental health as well? As strange as it may sound, there is a direct, two-way link between oral health and physical well-being. So, if you maintain good dental hygiene, you can also expect a positive influence on your physical health and vice versa.
But how does physical activity affect one’s oral health? You may ask. This blog will discuss the relationship between oral health and physical fitness. So, continue reading to learn more.
Exercise and Dental Health – The Scientific Evidence
According to research published in the British Dental Journal, regular exercise boosts oral health. The research findings showed that smokers who exercised regularly had a 54% lower risk of periodontal disease than those who never smoked but had a sedentary lifestyle. Not only this but it was also shown that exercising thrice a week resulted in a 33% lower chance of the development of periodontal disease.
Interestingly, there is also a connection between one’s body mass index (BMI) and the risk of periodontal disease. The study published in the Journal of Periodontology showed that individuals who maintained normal weight, exercised, and took a high-quality diet had a 40% lesser risk of developing gum disease than those who didn’t look after their fitness and physical well-being.
But How Much Exercise Is Good for My Oral Health?
Now that we know that exercise and physical activity are crucial in maintaining one’s oral health, the next question arises: how much exercise per day is enough? In the case of physical fitness, regularity is the key! According to the National Health Service, adults aged 19 to 64 should perform moderate-intensity exercise for 150 minutes or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise every week. The NHS also explains that this physical activity should be spread across 4-5 days per week. Alternatively, exercise can also be performed daily, depending on one’s lifestyle or work schedule.
Here’s another exercise fact for you to crunch on! According to the NHS, exercising once or twice a week could significantly reduce the risk of stroke or heart disease.
The Benefits of Exercise on Oral Health
- Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease
As mentioned earlier, there is a two-way correlation between oral health and physical well-being. While most of us know that a sedentary lifestyle increases one’s risk of developing heart disease, did you know that poor oral health can also put you at risk of heart problems? Research has shown that individuals with poor oral health are more likely to suffer from heart disease than those with healthy teeth and gums.
But how? You may ask! When someone ignores regular oral hygiene through brushing and flossing, a thin layer of food debris deposits on their teeth, called dental plaque. Over time, dental plaque hardens and becomes dental calculus. Both calculus and plaque offer an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to grow and replicate. These bacteria not only cause dental diseases such as periodontitis and tooth pain but can also travel through the bloodstream to the heart and cause cardiovascular disease.
According to this trained endodontist in Altantia GA, to effectively combat this risk, professional dental cleanings are just as crucial as daily hygiene. While brushing and flossing remove a great deal of bacteria-laden plaque, only a professional cleaning can remove hardened dental calculus (tartar). By routinely getting these cleanings, you significantly reduce the overall bacterial load in your mouth, which is a key step in minimizing the systemic inflammation that contributes to heart problems.
So, it turns out that regular exercise will also help maintain good oral health and reduce the risk of heart-related issues.
- Boost in Immunity
Exercising regularly boosts the body’s overall immunity. This means that if you hit the gym regularly, you will be protected from physical illnesses and immune-related diseases of dental origin.
- Exercise and Improved Digestion
We all know that physical activity helps in digestion. But does good digestion have a link with improved oral health? Yes, improved digestion positively affects one’s oral health. How? To understand this, let us know how digestion affects the body. When we eat food, it is digested by various organs, and the essential nutrients are absorbed. When one exercises regularly, blood flow to the digestive system is improved, enhancing the ability to absorb more nutrients and generate more energy. This will indirectly boost the immune system and reduce the risk of gum disease.
- Exercise Helps Reduce Stress
We know that stress is bad for one’s physical health and well-being. When we exercise, our body releases endorphins that brighten up our mood and boost energy by releasing serotonin and dopamine. These endorphins make us feel good and give us the “post-workout high” feeling.
But what’s the link between decreased stress and oral health? It’s simple. When one is stressed, they will invariably clench their jaws or grind teeth – either during sleep or daytime – seriously damaging the teeth and causing complications such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, tooth decay, tooth decay, and even tooth fracture. Since exercise helps in relieving stress, it is also helpful in preventing all these stress-induced dental complications. Here is another reason for you not to miss working out regularly.
Protecting your Teeth During Exercise and Physical Activity
Now that we know how crucial physical activity is in keeping us healthy and smiling, there is another aspect we should consider; protecting our teeth and other oral structures. Why? Our teeth are particularly vulnerable during physical activity, especially during contact sports. That is why dentists recommend wearing protective gear while working out. Dental Care Centre, One of the leading dentist in London recommend if your kid plays football or rugby, they should wear a mouthguard, an appliance worn over the teeth that protects them from accidental damage.
More importantly, energy drinks are routinely used by athletes and sportsmen. While these drinks may give us a rapid energy boost, they contain a high concentration of sugars, making our teeth vulnerable to decay. So, one should rinse their mouth after enjoying these drinks to prevent dental cavities. However, one should not brush their teeth immediately afterwards as it may cause wearing of the already softened tooth surface.
Dental health and exercise go hand-in-hand in keeping one healthy, active and smiling. So, the next time you think of skipping your workout routine, think about your teeth and smile! Regular exercise, a balanced diet, oral hygiene maintenance, and regular dental check-ups are all you need to ensure pearly white teeth and healthy gums!
Lastly if you do need an emergency dentist in London, ensure they are accredited by the General Dental Council to perform treatments like, fillings, crowns, smile makeovers and dental implants.
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