Research has shown that proper dental care is important for your overall health. Studies show a connection between gum infection and other health problems like diabetes complications and heart disease.
Your overall health and lifestyle can also improve your dental health. A healthy diet and proper nutrition are key factors in strong enamel and teeth. If not managed correctly, some seemingly healthy habits could lead to tooth decay.
You should think about how you can exercise regularly, stay hydrated, and take vitamin C.
Sometimes it’s not so simple. These habits could actually be a hindrance to your efforts. They can wear away the protective enamel on your teeth, leaving them open to decay. These habits can support both a healthy mouth and a healthy body.
Exercise regularly
- The Problem is Keeping to your fitness goals will have a positive impact on your mental and physical health. Your body and mind are sure to thank you. What about your teeth? Dehydration can result from athletic activity, which in turn causes decreased saliva flow. This can lead to tooth decay because saliva is responsible for washing away harmful bacteria and neutralizing acids.
- Your Solution: Maintain your good health and physical fitness. However, you should also ensure your mouth is healthy by drinking lots of fluids after and during workouts.
Keep your body properly hydrated
- The Problem is There are temptations to drink sports drinks that contain extra electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. These electrolytes are important because they increase fluid absorption and are lost through sweat. It is best to replenish them quickly. Many sports drinks contain high levels of sugar. Your mouth bacteria and sugar combine to create acid, which eventually eats away your tooth enamel.
- The Solution: Stay hydrated by drinking low-sugar and sugar-free sports drinks or sticking to water. You can also replenish electrolytes by eating high-nutrient foods.
Loading Up on Vitamin C
- The Problem: A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C helps prevent scurvy. It also aids in the absorption of iron. Be careful not to overdo it. Vitamin C-rich foods can also be very acidic (think oranges, grapefruits and lemons). In this instance, it is possible to have too many good things. Enamel erosion can occur if you are exposed to high levels of acidic foods for too long. High levels of acid can cause enamel erosion in some supplements like fizzy vitamin C powdered beverages and chewable vitamin-C tablets.
- The solution: Limit your consumption of acidic fruits and juices and get vitamin C from food, not supplements.
Be mindful of the impact your lifestyle choices can have on your overall health and your teeth.