Did you know that once you start working out, your oral hygiene could take a hit? On June 30, Dr Mark Burhenne, a dentist with over 40 years of experience, highlighted how our oral health can be compromised when we start going to the gym, due to a common mistake: breathing through our mouths.
According to Dr Burhenne, the moment you start breathing through your mouth while working out at the gym, your mouth’s pH can drop drastically. He explained why this happens and what athletes or gym goers can do to avoid this scenario.
Is your gym activity compromising your oral health?
Dr Burhenne shared the post with the caption, “POV: you started working out, and now you can’t figure out why you keep getting cavities.” He added, “The moment you start breathing through your mouth, whether on a run, on the bike, or hitting the StairMaster at your gym, your mouth pH can drop.”
Here’s why this happens: according to the dentist, a happy tooth is a tooth bathed in saliva, which is why runners, hikers, and any athlete who breathes through their mouth from time to time are more prone to cavities than those who are strictly nasal breathers. Unfair, isn’t it? Nobody warns that a new gym habit can lead to dental work.
How to avoid cavities?
According to the dentist, whether you’re training for Ironman or just casually hitting the treadmill in your garage, there are some must-haves he recommends every athlete. They are:
- Electrolytes to help fight cavities
- Nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste
- Xylitol gum or mints
- Mouth tape
What does research say? According to a September 2022 study by Front Public Health, mouth breathing is one of the most common deleterious oral habits, often resulting from upper airway obstruction and leading to air entering the oral cavity either completely or partially. Moreover, it can lead to abnormal dental and maxillofacial development. Furthermore, breathing through the mouth can negatively affect oral health, increasing the risk of caries and periodontal disease.
