Who doesn’t want to stay in shape? This time of year, more and more people are making promises to themselves to workout more and to live a healthier lifestyle.
While that’s definitely important, your friends at Cosmetic Dental Associates want to make sure these changes to your daily routine don’t have a negative impact on your oral health!
There’s no reason to let your teeth pay the price for a slimmer physique, right?
Today, we want to shed light on how exercise can affect your smile and how to keep your risk for dental problems low as you build a better body!

Get In Shape Without Hurting Your Smile!

Research tells us that non-athletes don’t typically deal with as many oral health problems as athletes do, and much of that is due to the pH in your saliva.
When you’re moving and shaking in the gym during a workout, your saliva becomes more acidic, which can eat away at your tooth enamel and make you more vulnerable to tooth decay, cavities, and other issues.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though! Here are a few tips from your San Antonio dentist:

*Hydrate Properly*

Instead of grabbing a sports or energy drink, put bottled water in your gym bag. Obviously, you’ll need to compensate for the water you lose through a sweaty, tough workout. The only way to properly hydrate your body is with lots of water, not those sugary sports drinks, juices, and smoothies!

*Fuel Your Body*

Athletes and people who enjoy staying physically fit are the prime targets of advertisers trying to sell protein and energy bars. Sure, the labels make all sorts of claims and promises about “all-natural” and “healthy” ingredients, but really, they’re full of refined carbs and hidden sugars that create cavities.
Freshly-cut raw veggies, fruits, nuts, and dairy products are more beneficial to your smile because they not only fuel your body with vitamins and minerals, but those nutrients are essential for strong bones and healthy teeth!

*Brush Your Teeth Before Your Workout*

As we mentioned before, physical activity affects the pH levels in your saliva. When you workout, you can’t really avoid those changes. So to minimize the effects of acidic saliva on your teeth, it’s a good idea to brush before you hit the gym to clear your mouth of harmful bacteria and food particles. That way your teeth aren’t having to fight off more than necessary all at once.
What should also be a part of your healthy lifestyle, of course, are those important dental cleanings and exams in San Antonio!

Call Today For An Appointment!

It’s always a good idea to stay physically fit and reach for those lifestyle goals that result in better health.
Just make sure that your smile doesn’t suffer because of it. Keep yourself well-hydrated, eat teeth-friendly snacks, and maintain good oral care at home and at your San Antonio dentist office!
Visit us soon for your next routine dental cleaning and exam! Call Cosmetic Dental Associates today at 210-951-4444 (Medical Center) 210-942-5047 (Alamo Ranch) 210-934-8188 (Stone Oak) or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment.