Did you know that the fitness industry grew to over 200,000 health clubs globally that serve 162 million members? While that study doesn’t include gyms in hotel rooms and other subsections, one thing is clear: The fitness trend is bigger than ever and is poised to become even more popular.
If you asked a room full of fit people why they train, you’d be likely to get a variety of answers. Some may confess that they do it for vanity – that they love to look their best and be the fittest person among their peers. Others would probably recall the many health benefits to staying in shape, benefits that include improvements to heart, brain, and muscular health. But very few would be likely to list their oral health as a reason that they stay in shape.
Nevertheless, sticking to an exercise routine can even improve your smile – here’s why.
How Fitness Plays a Role in Enhancing Your Smile
If there were a miracle cure for everything from depression to cardiovascular problems, following a fitness plan would be it – and it works for your smile as well. Discover how regular exercise plays a role in helping to prevent gum disease, avoid bruxism, and more.
Being Fitness-Minded Means Choosing a Better Diet
When people are in a fitness mindset, there’s often a lot more focus on what they’re eating as well. Knowing intimately the amount of work it takes to work off a cheat day provides motivation to make better dietary decisions. This means that when you have a strong fitness goal, you’ll be less likely to regularly indulge in sugary sweets and other high-calorie foods. In a sense, committing to fitness changes the way people think about food and nutrition.
Your Smile Reaps Benefits from a Fitness-Minded Diet as Well
Those same foods you’d avoid in order to stay fit are the exact foods that harm your teeth as well. For example, a runner may avoid eating a sugary piece of cake because they know it’s full of empty calories and can jeopardize their level of fitness. That same piece of cake is also one of the biggest culprits behind cavities and other dental problems. Therefore, by avoiding sugar, the athlete is helping their body as well as their smile.
Studies Show a Lower Risk of Gum Disease in Fit People
A study that observed the tendency of active smokers, non-smokers, and former smokers to develop gum disease revealed another benefit of staying fit. Apparently, the combination of exercise and not smoking goes a long way to prevent gum disease.
Non-smokers who exercise regularly experienced a 55 percent lower risk of gum disease and former smokers experienced a decreased risk of 75 percent. This study reveals two things:
- Fitness can greatly decrease your risk of gum disease.
- Smoking can ruin your oral health despite an exercise routine.
Exercise Helps Prevent Stress-related Oral Problems
For most of us, stress cannot be avoided. Whether it comes from work, friends, family, or financial concerns, excess stress can take a major toll on our health, and this includes the health of our smile. Excessive stress affects your oral health and can manifest in the following ways:
- TMD Problems
- Bruxism (grinding the teeth)
- Gum Disease
- Canker Sores
- Dry Mouth
A Workout Routine Will Keep Your Stress at a Minimum
While avoiding stress entirely is impossible for most people, staying committed to an effective exercise plan is an excellent way to keep your stress down to manageable levels. According to the Mayo Clinic, any type of exercise will work to mitigate your stress levels. With these lower stress levels, you’ll not only feel better but you’ll be well-protected against many of the diseases that arise due to excess stress.
The Limits of Exercise – Solving Problems When They Happen
Fitness is an amazing way to prevent a host of menacing diseases, but the truth is, bad things still happen to fit people. Find out what type of specialist can best help you when you have dental problems that can’t be cured with athletic activity.
Crooked Teeth
Even if you’re comfortable working out six days a week, crooked teeth is a problem that requires some extra care. Whether caused by genetics or some other dental issue, the good news is that your crooked teeth are highly treatable. Specialists like Dr. Theodore Herrmann in Miami, FL are experienced at the Invisalign treatment and can give you the care you need to realign your smile.
Missing Teeth
Another dental problem that can’t be solved with fitness is a missing teeth. No matter why you ended up with an empty gap in your mouth, it’s highly recommended that you replace it as soon as possible. Of the available options, dental implants are the best way to restore your smile, and you can get a consultation from an experienced implant specialist like Dr. Hart in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Sleep Apnea
While fitness does play a major role in preventing sleep apnea, there are also genetic causes to the disorder that can’t be helped with exercise. If excessive, loud snoring is interrupting your sleep and that of your partner’s, sleep apnea may be the culprit. Seeing a sleep specialist like Dr. Chiarina Iregui in Gig Harbor, WA is the first step to restoring your ability to sleep through the night.
Keep Your Body Strong and Your Smile Will Follow
It’s remarkable how many advantages a fit lifestyle will provide. By simply having the discipline to keep up with an exercise routine, you introduce your body to countless benefits that improve everything from oral health to mental health. Whether you choose to put together a basketball game with buddies from high school or join a CrossFit gym doesn’t matter – all that does matter is that you keep moving. Your body and smile will thank you.