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Most people don’t need a doctor to tell them that regular exercise is vital to their body’s health and proper function. Nevertheless, an estimated 31% of America’s adult population can be classified as obese, with a greater number suffering from illnesses associated with inadequate physical activity (i.e., heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorders, and a weak immune system, among many others). Although gum disease prevention is not as often acknowledged as exercise’s more glamorous benefits, regular exercise can help control gum disease development and the damage that it can cause.

Exercise, Inflammation, and Gum Disease

Like tooth decay, gum disease begins with a bacterial infection. As you read this, there are over 600 identifiable kinds of germs in your mouth that gather together to form the sticky biofilm called plaque, which builds up on your teeth and gums. The different germs in plaque operate in their own manner, some proving harmful to your dental health. Certain bacteria incite your immune system’s inflammatory response to invading microbes, causing your gum tissue to swell and bleed and accelerating the damage of gum disease. Regular exercise helps your body operate at maximum efficiency, including your immune system, and the improved regulation can improve your chances of combating destructive gum disease and inflammation.

Healthier Mouth Fuel

A strict exercise regimen also requires you to maintain a healthy diet for your body to receive its necessary fuel. Like the rest of your body, nutrition can also dictate the health of your teeth and gums. For instance, calcium and other essential nutrients help keep your smile’s foundation of jawbone strong, as well as maintaining the strength of your tooth enamel (your teeth’s primary defense against bacterial infection).

Learn More About Healthy Smile Habits

To learn more habits that will keep your smile and your body healthy, call our family dentist office today at 817-473-6227. Located in Mansfield, TX, we also proudly serve the residents of South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvarado, Midlothian, and all surrounding communities.