Whether you like working out at the gym, in your home, or out in nature, moving your body is a great way to shed some holiday weight and get in shape. It remains at the top of the New Year’s Resolution list each year for millions of people. However, most individuals are unlikely to consider how each step, lift, or ride might be harming their pearly whites. Before gearing up to crush your fitness goals this year, here are four ways to protect your smile along the way.
What Are the Most Common Ways to Damage Your Smile During Workouts?
Unsure how losing weight and getting in shape can negatively affect your smile? Consider this:
- Each time you lift weights, you are likely to clench your teeth. The excessive pressure wears down your tooth enamel over time. It also creates persistent tension on your jaw joints, all of which can lead to dental damage, tooth sensitivity, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
- If you consume energy or sports drinks during a workout, you are coating your teeth in a sugary and acidic beverage that often leads to cavities, tooth discoloration, and dry mouth.
- If you breathe through your mouth while increasing your heart rate, you increase the risk of dry mouth, which makes it easier for bacteria to thrive, causing gum disease and dental decay.
4 Ways to Protect Your Smile
Instead of walking away from your workout worried about what you may be putting your smile through, here are four ways to keep it better protected:
- Ask your dentist about a custom mouthguard to wear while exercising. Boil-and-bite options are available over the counter, but if you want something built for your mouth that offers the highest level of protection, a custom appliance is the best option.
- Fill your bottle with water. This hydrates better than any other beverage, and it encourages healthy saliva production to neutralize acids and flush out harmful bacteria.
- Practice inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth to avoid a dry environment where bacteria can thrive and increase the risk of gum disease.
- Keep up with your at-home oral hygiene routine to avoid plaque and tartar buildup over time. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once before bed will give your smile the care it needs to remain strong and healthy.
In 2026, make the necessary changes to lose the weight, safeguard your smile, and feel great!
About the Author
Dr. Michael Young is here to give your smile what it needs to succeed. With many patients resolving to lose weight as part of their New Year’s Resolutions, he and the team at Forever Young Dentistry can offer helpful tips to keep teeth protected while focusing on getting in shape. If you want to safeguard your smile while improving your overall health, visit our website or call (586) 277-0080 to schedule a consultation.