Exercise is known to have a positive effect on our physical and mental health. But exercise can also be great for our oral health, with evidence finding that regular exercise can result in a range of benefits for our mouths, including lowering the risk of gum disease.
Everyone knows about the importance of exercise, and the positive impact it can have on both the body and the mind. But something that not many people know about is the connection between exercise and our dental health – you’ll be amazed at how regular exercise can have a positive effect on our mouths!
Exercise can have a huge range of benefits for our oral health, including lowering the risk of gum disease, increasing saliva flow and cutting out bad habits that can cause problems to the mouth. However, there are areas associated with exercise which we need to be wary of, as we will discuss.
Gum disease
One of the biggest benefits of exercise is its relationship to lowering the risk of gum disease (also known as periodontitis). A study in 2005 analysed the relationship between gum disease and physical activity.
The researchers found the study participants that engaged in regular exercise were about 54% less likely to develop gum disease than those who didn’t spend time exercising [1].
Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body – which is one of the leading causes of gum disease [2]. Increased exercising can result in an increase in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Effect of weight
Regular exercise is able to lower our BMI score, which has subsequent benefits for our oral health. A lower BMI will typically result in us eating and drinking less sugary foods or drinks, which protects our teeth and gums from harmful acids.
One study analysed the link between weight and dental health, using BMI, body fat percentage and oxygen consumption to assess how “healthy” each study participant was.
The researchers found that those who maintained normal weight and engaged in the recommended amount of exercise (as set by the researchers) were 40% less likely to have gum disease than those who didn’t exercise [3].
Increased saliva
Exercise also has the impact of increasing the production of saliva. This helps to combat the issue of a dry mouth, which is a state that bacteria flourishes in, resulting in a build-up of plaque and tooth decay. A dry mouth is a very common problem, but exercise can be a simple way of treating this.
Stress relief
When we are stressed, it is common to resort to habits that are harmful to our oral health, such as smoking or teeth grinding. Smoking can be terrible for our mouths and can increase the risk of oral cancer [4]. Teeth grinding can wear down teeth and leave them damaged.
But exercise is known to be a great way of reducing stress. Whenever we exercise, the body releases endorphins, which can give us a feeling of euphoria. By exercising, we are less likely to partake in habits that are harmful for our mouths.
A word of warning
While there are clearly benefits for our mouths, there is also a note of caution that we must talk about – energy drinks. Many people will reach for a sport or energy drink following a workout or run.
But these drinks can undo any good work, as they are high in sugar, which can have a damaging impact on our teeth. One study found that the average level of acid in a sample of sports drinks causes damage to teeth after just 5 consecutive days of consumption [5]. Water is a much better alternative.
So should I exercise more?
We would definitely recommend exercising more – albeit not to a level that harms you. The benefits to our oral health are clear, it will also have the effect of improving your physical health too.
But exercise alone isn’t enough, we need to have a nutritious diet, brush our teeth at least twice a day, floss regularly and avoid sugary snacks and drinks wherever possible.
Finally, visiting the dentist on a regular basis for check-ups is important. Any problems will be identified and can be treated; early treatment can stave off the threat of more complex procedures further down the line.
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental is always happy to welcome new patients. We offer a large range of services, from regular fillings, to more complex procedures such as root canals and dentures.
We provide a comfortable environment for our patients, and are based in a convenient location in Calgary. We encourage patients to visit us twice a year for check-ups. If further treatment is needed, we will provide you with a tailored and effective treatment plan.
Summary
As we have shown in this article, exercise can have a positive effect on our oral health. Combining exercise with regular check-ups and strong oral hygiene can be excellent for our dental health.
We would love you to come and visit our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, click here to visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca, where you can take a look at the services that are available to our patients. We hope to see you soon!
- [1] British Dental Journal. (2005). Exercise benefits dental health. Journal of Dentistry. 199, p629.
- [2] Omori, S., Uchida, F., Oh, S., So, R., Tsujimoto, T., Yanagawa, T., Sakai, S., Shoda, J., Tanaka, K., & Bukawa, H. (2018). Exercise habituation is effective for improvement of periodontal disease status: a prospective intervention study. Therapeutics and clinical risk management. 14, p565–574. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S153397
- [3] Al-Zahrani, M. S., Borawski, E. A., Bissada, N. F. (2005). Periodontitis and three health-enhancing behaviors: maintaining normal weight, engaging in recommended level of exercise, and consuming a high-quality diet. Journal of Periodontology.
- [4] Schildt, E-B., Eriksson, M., Hardell, L., & Magnuson, A. (1998). Oral snuff, smoking habits and alcohol consumption in relation to oral cancer in a Swedish case-control study. International Journal of Cancer. 77 (3), p341-346.
- [5] Jain, P., Hall-May, E., Golabek, K., & Zenia Agustin, M. (2012). A comparison of sports and energy drinks – Physiochemical properties and enamel dissolution. General Dentistry. 60 (3), p198-199.
