1. Grinding when lifting weights
I see a lot of people at the gym clenching and grinding their teeth when they are training and they aren’t aware of the damage they are doing to their teeth. Your teeth are only supposed to make fairly light contact when you are eating, which adds up to less than 30 minutes a day. When you are clenching and grinding, this goes up massively AND the force involved goes up as well. If you put this level of force onto your teeth on a weekly basis, you’re going to be inflicting major damage to your teeth.
2. Eating more meals in the day
Tooth decay is largely caused by the number of snack/meals you have during the day and not the amount of food consumed. So altough eating frequent meals during the day is generally good for your health, it’s not great for your teeth
3. Protein Shakes
Protein shakes can contain sugar or refined carbs, which are an excellent source of energy for the bacteria in your mouth that cause tooth decay. What is more, is that if your have them frequently, its even worse!
4. Drinking high sugar drinks during training
High sugar drinks cause tooth decay – FACT. If you’re having them often, there’s a high risk you will develop cavities in your teeth. What is more, is that your salivary flow rate drops during exercise and, as the sugars are now sitting on your teeth for longer, the decay rate is going to go up. I get that you want to fuel up for your run, but its far better to consume complex carbs before the work out so you’ll get the slow release energy.
5. Protein bars
Protein bars contains sticky sugars that will stick to your teeth and cause decay. If you eat these regularly, then drink lots of water after to wash all the sugars away.
If you think you have caused damage to your teeth with any of the above, please call our dental practice which is based in Carshalton in the borough of Sutton and we would be happy to help.
