Study Suggests Exercise Could Increase The Risk Of Tooth Decay
Most of the time you hear about the benefits of exercising on a regular basis, but a new study has suggested that physical activity could actually be harmful for the teeth.
A team of researchers from the University Hospital in Heidenberg, Germany, found that the more exercise you do, the higher the risk of tooth decay and premature tooth loss. Researchers analysed the oral health status of a group of triathletes and non-athletes and found that people that exercise regularly have a higher risk of tooth rot. The group of 70 was split evenly into triathletes and non-athletes.
Researchers explained that the higher incidence of tooth decay could be due to the fact that exercising increases the alkalinity of the saliva, which provides a better environment for the growth of potentially harmful bacteria.
The team discovered that for every additional hour of training, the risk of decay increased.
Dr Cornelia Frese, a senior dentist at the hospital, said that while there seemed to be a link between decay and exercise, the relationship was not strong enough to indicate a causative effect and urged athletes to take good care of their teeth and gums. The mantra for athletes remains the same as non-athletes: good oral hygiene and a healthy diet are important preventative measures for good oral health.
In the past, studies have indicated that decay may be prevalent among sportspeople because some tend to drink energy and sports drinks, which contain a lot of sugar.
Join this Discussion