Are you hoping to lose weight this next year? Do you want to aspire for greater wellness in 2022? You’re not alone. Common among many New Year’s Resolutions is the idea of shedding a few pounds. If you’re preparing for ways you can incorporate healthier foods and activities into your day-to-day life, you’ll want to consider these four ways to ensure a positive fitness and oral health journey.
Protect Your Teeth with a Custom Mouthguard
If you want to avoid costly dental emergencies while working out, make sure to invest in a customized mouthguard. These are created to fit your oral cavity comfortably while offering maximum support against sudden falls or hard hits. If you enjoy outdoor sports as a way to get in shape, they can minimize your risk for a serious injury while playing against the other team.
Drink Plenty of Water
Sports and energy drinks might be tempting because of the promise of “quenching your thirst” or restoring electrolytes, but the only truly safe solution is to drink plenty of water. Not only does it hydrate your body, but it flushes out toxins and keeps your salivary glands working. As a result, you can keep bacteria and harmful particles from adhering to your teeth and causing cavities.
Practice Mindfulness
This might not make as much sense at first, but if you think about how much you clench your teeth while lifting weights, you’ll discover how damaging this can be to your smile. While you do have the option to wear a mouthguard to keep your teeth from pressing against each other, you can also practice mindfulness. If you think about how you can reposition your jaw while working out, you’ll notice you breathe easier and reduce chronic jaw pain that can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) over time. Your body will also become more relaxed.
Try to Breathe Through Your Nose
When running, lifting weights, or engaging in any other physical activity, you may notice it becomes harder to breathe through your nose. Thus, you turn to mouth breathing. Unfortunately, this switch can lead to dry mouth and excessive bacterial accumulation. When there is a lack of saliva produced inside the mouth, the chemical composition changes, causing plaque and tartar to form. As a result, you may notice an increase in cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Attempting to catch yourself when breathing through your mouth will help to minimize your risk.
About the Practice
The dental team at Indy Dental Group wants you to feel confident about your smile. With an emphasis on preventive care, our team can provide helpful tips designed to improve your oral and overall health. If fitness and your well-being are priorities for the coming year, we can equip you with the tools and information needed to avoid common oral health problems while working out. If you would like to minimize your risk for cavities and gum disease while on your fitness journey, contact us at (317) 846-6125.