Regular Exercise Can Protect and Strengthen Your Smile
Eating right and regular exercise are good for your entire body, even your mouth. In a study published in a Journal of Periodontology, researchers found that people who get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight are 40% less likely to develop gum disease. The reason for this is that gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by harmful bacteria living in your mouth; regular exercise works as a natural anti-inflammatory for your entire body, including your mouth.
With studies showing that gum disease is linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, healthy eating habits and regular exercise can help to prevent aggravation of these health problems, as well.
Exercise Can Strengthen and Protect your Teeth
When you get regular exercise, your digestion improves. This means that your body can more efficiently use the vitamins and minerals in foods and supplements. Because these are essential to the health of your mouth and strength of your teeth, eating nutritious foods and working out can really protect your smile.
But, it’s not just your teeth that benefit from being healthy. Your mood improves, you can handle stress more easily, you can think without a foggy mind, and you become stronger. A healthy, fit body pairs nicely with a bright, shining smile, both of which bring confidence and approachability to your personality.
If you are not already exercising, we encourage you to start. It is never too late to become healthy and happy. Here are some tips to help you learn how to eat properly before and after a workout…
- Eat something light before you work out to avoid an upset stomach
- Eat about an hour before your workout to give it time to digest and provide you with energy
- Some options might be: half of a banana, a piece of toast with peanut butter, or a low-fat yogurt
- Eat something with protein after working out to build and repair muscles
Thank you for including Dr. Hakimzadeh and the Phoenix family dentistry team as a part of your healthy goals!