Schedule AppointmentBuild a Strong Smile with Regular Exercise
Of course exercise is good for our bodies and minds – we have been told this our entire lives. What may come as a surprise is that exercising is also beneficial to oral health.
- Exercise can reduce risk of gum disease: Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by harmful bacteria in our mouths. Regular exercise reduces this inflammation, lowering the risk of gum disease. According to researchers, those who work out regularly and maintain a healthy weight are 40% less likely to develop gum disease. Some studies have even linked gum disease to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, so preventing gum disease can decrease your risk of more serious conditions as well.
- Exercise can strengthen and protect your smile: Working out improves digestion and helps your body more effectively use vitamins and minerals that are essential to dental health. Being healthy allows your body to make better use of the nutrients in food to strengthen your smile.
- Eating tips for before and after your workout: Eating a large meal takes time to digest, so the closer you are to your workout, the smaller the amount of food you eat should be. It is ideal to eat something high in carbohydrates but low in fat ONE HOUR before you exercise – a banana, yogurt or half of a peanut butter sandwich are just some options. Always eat after your workout to replace the energy you just burned.
Make exercising a habit in order to maintain dental health as well as overall health. By doing an activity you enjoy, working out with someone else, and giving yourself a healthy reward, you will make exercising a more pleasant experience!
Courtesy of LevyDental
http://levydental.com/
