Physical Exercises That Benefit Dental Health

For quite a long time, people thought that regular physical exercises only benefit the muscles and blood vessels in our body. It was also understood that keeping our teeth healthy meant regularly brushing them, flossing them and massaging the gums. But of late the world is sitting up and taking note of the positive correlation between regular physical exercises that benefit dental health. In recent years, several studies have pointed to the comparatively lower rates of gum disease in people who exercise regularly in moderate amounts.

If you’re mystified at how regular physical exercises at the gym or your daily jog routine can keep your dental health and periodontal disease at bay, read on.

Dental Health

The biggest benefits of regular exercise, is a conditioned body which translates into a healthier body mass index (BMI), significant reduction in the development of medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. The elimination of these factors aids in better dental health thus contributing to overall dental quality and longevity. Physical Exercises strengthen the underlying skeletal structure of which our teeth are a component.

Diabetes in particular, leads to thickening of the blood vessels which in turn restricts the flow of blood to the gums, ultimately depriving the teeth of precious nutrients and oxygen. Moreover, higher blood sugar levels in the blood raise the saliva’s sugar component leading to the proliferation of bacteria within the mouth.

Physical Exercises

Let’s now examine the types of physical exercises to choose for improving particular dental health conditions.

Weight exercises: In the new scheme of things, weight training can help boost your dental health in addition to building up your muscles! Since working out with weights involves a host gravity-defying exercises that strengthen the underlying bone structure in our body, the benefits will also accrue in the oral cavity which is home to our teeth. As a result, you can expect stronger, healthier teeth. So go and pump up some iron!

Load-free exercises: If you’re among those who count teeth grinding as their problem, remember that stress is the culprit. In such cases, doctors recommend physical activities like Pilates, Tai Chi and yoga. The clinical precision of movements and the concentration involved in executing them helps to alleviate the underlying stress and thus eliminate the problem of grinding your teeth in your sleep.

By exercising regularly, our body gets a chance to maintain a healthy BMI, keep sugar levels under control and maintain a healthy blood pressure. Remember to consult your physician before embarking upon any physical exercise regime.

Finally, while physical exercise does contribute to healthy gums and stronger teeth, do not forget your daily dental routine comprising brushing, flossing and massaging your teeth!