Key Takeaways
- Outdoor exercise in Santa Monica may have an influence on oral health based on dehydration, dry mouth and acidity.
- Even low amounts of sports drinks and energy gels do damage the enamel.
- Active smiles can be defended by mouth guards and adequate hydration.
- Regular visits to a trusted Santa Monica dentist help prevent and repair activity-related wear.
- You can maintain a smile as well as your exercise regimen with little daily habits.
Santa Monica is built for movement. The beaches are filled with joggers at sunrise, bicycle riders ride the emirates coast and surfers enjoy waves throughout the morning to evening. The active lifestyle is what makes this city so special; however, it also implies a couple of special concerns for your teeth.
At Clove Dental Santa Monica, we have observed that fitness may at times play a silent role in damaging your teeth. Be it dehydration caused by intense running, acid caused by sports beverages or dangers of being hit related to surfing, tiny things may accumulate over time. The good news? It is possible to keep your smile safe and not become slower in the process with only a few minor adjustments.
Hydration Is More Than a Workout Tip
It is common knowledge among most athletes that water is a performance-boosting drink. Yet it is also important to the well being of the teeth. During exercise, you lose water in the form of sweat and breathing and your mouth may soon get dry.
A dry mouth will result in the lack of saliva, which is the natural protection of your body against bacteria and acid. In the absence of sufficient saliva, enamel is put at a higher risk of decay. The solution is simple: drink water during your activity, not after or before your activity.
You should have a reusable bottle with you in case you want to spend a whole day training or surfing. At Clove Dental Santa Monica, we remind our patients that hydration helps to keep their whole body and their smile as well. It is actually one of the simplest methods of avoiding the prolonged erosion of the enamel.
Watch Out for Sports Drinks and Energy Gels
Many active people in Santa Monica use energy drinks, electrolyte mixes, and gels to keep their energy up. However, most of these products are sour and high in sugar. Even some labeled as healthy can weaken tooth enamel over time.
Rather, use coconut water or an electrolyte mix with no sugar. They are softer on the teeth and they still supplement your loss. In case you consume sports drinks, do not drink them in small sips over a long time; this will provide acid with more time to damage your enamel.
Then, rinse with water and not with the brush immediately because it can damage the enamel by brushing when it is not hard. Your Santa Monica dentist can also recommend fluoride treatments or remineralizing toothpaste to strengthen your enamel if you’re an active sports drink user.
Protect Your Smile with the Right Gear
Athletes keep their knees, wrists and shoulders safe, so what about their teeth? Surfing, mountain biking and even recreational volleyball are sports that can cause some surprising hits or falls.
A custom mouth guard from your Santa Monica dentist is one of the best investments for an active smile. As opposed to that of the over-the-counter varieties, custom guards are easy to wear, do not limit breathing and are of complete coverage. They are able to avoid chipped teeth, gum injuries, and even jaw pains that are caused by clenching in the process of intense activity.
We usually make bespoke guards for surfers who often chew the edge of the board or squeeze prior to the wave, little things that over the years may create cracks or broken down enamels.
Rinse and Recover After Every Workout
As you have to stretch your legs after running or shake the sand off after surfing, your mouth also needs some time to rest. The pH of your mouth regularly declines following exercise due to dry air and acidic beverages.
You can rinse your mouth with plain water or use a mild fluoride rinse when you have finished your exercise. This aids in rebalancing and sweeping away acid and bacteria.
In Clove Dental Santa Monica, we suggest using post-workout oral rinse, particularly to people who train every day. It is fast, painless and does not hurt too much between visits to the dentist.
Stay Consistent with Dental Checkups
Despite the ideal habits, an active lifestyle will also cause minor problems, slight wear, receding gums, or sensitivity due to frequent dehydration. That’s why regular visits to your Santa Monica dentist are essential.
Regular checkups are also beneficial since they can remove the accumulation that is not possible to clean by brushing and also because early checkups can detect damage before it is too late. Most sportspeople put off their visits on the grounds that their teeth do not hurt, yet it is always cheaper to prevent than to cure.
We are a group that pays attention to individual attention to patients. What matters to us is whether you are preparing to compete in a triathlon or just spending time running on the beach, we tailor our advice to suit your lifestyle.
Counts Nutrition: Even to Your Teeth
Performance diets also tend to be energy and recovery oriented but they need to incorporate dental hygiene as well. Yogurt, leafy greens, and almonds are calcium-dense foods that maintain the strength of enamel. Fruits and vegetables that are crunchy are natural cleaners for the teeth and they also stimulate saliva.
Attempt to reduce snacking, particularly of energy bars or dried fruits, which lodge between teeth. It is not to deprive yourself but to be smarter about it by washing your mouth with water after snacks and brushing whenever you can within 30 minutes.
Your Santa Monica dentist can help you build a nutrition plan that supports both oral and physical strength.
Final Thoughts
Santa Monica makes us want to be active and healthy, but we need to take care of our teeth, too. Drink water, wear a mouth guard, rinse your mouth after playing, and see your dentist often.
These steps will help keep your smile bright and ready for fun!