More energy, better focus and even more endurance is what we all want when we go to the gym. It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about a professional athlete or just an average Joe who wants to get in shape, almost every gym-goer takes supplements to improve their workout session. Pre-workout drinks, pills and powders are commonly used by many, but did you know that some can actually harm your teeth? Acidic drinks and drinks full of sugar can hurt your teeth enamel but are you in real danger every time you stop to take a sip of your workout drink? Let’s find out!
Is there any harm in vitamins?
You’ve probably been advised as a child to eat healthy and take as much vitamins as possible. Drinking soda, cola or any other kind of sugar-filled drink was probably a no-no. You’ve been taught that vitamin C plays an essential role when it comes to your health. It keeps you safe from common cold, scurvy and even heart disease. However, vitamin C also harms your teeth. It is common in sports drinks and workout drinks and it causes enamel erosion and eventually leads to teeth decay. Such drinks will expose your teeth to acids and sugar and those are extremely bad, because they stick to your teeth. Eventually, your teeth enamel will be badly damaged.
In order to prevent that, we recommend drinking water to stay hydrated. Water does absolutely no harm to your teeth. However, if you are not so eager to say goodbye to your favorite workout drink, we may have a piece of advice. If you are rinsing your mouth with that same drink, we urge you to stop. It isn’t necessary and won’t help your workout in any way. Adding a straw to it is also a good idea. Drinking through a straw will help, because your teeth will avoid direct contact with the beverage. Reading what’s inside your drink is also very helpful because you’ll want to avoid citric acid.
And what can they do to help?
And what can they do to help?On the other hand, you may be able to help your teeth when you get home. Add vegetables and fruit to your diet. Apples are quite good for you, because they are rich in fiber and water. It will also produce saliva in your mouth and saliva is what you need to ‘neutralize’ acids and protect your teeth. Almonds are also very good, as they have calcium and protein. They are also low in sugar, so you won’t hurt your gym progress at all. However, be cautious with the amount of almonds you decide to eat. A quarter cup of almonds with your lunch is enough. Adding some to a salad is also okay.
We’d also like to mention yogurt. Yogurt is full of protein and calcium, so you are in a win-win situation again. In addition to that, yogurt is also very good for you because it contains friendly bacteria. Your gums will benefit from the good bacteria that will get rid of bacteria that causes cavities. That means that you’ll maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in your intestines as well. Normal bacterial microflora also means a stronger immune system. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should overindulge in yogurt. Remember that one 8-ounce container of yogurt has 7 grams of total fat.
The importance of checkups
Regular visits to your dentist are a must. It doesn’t matter if you feel fine with your teeth, regular checkups have to be mandatory. Dentists are professionals for a reason and can offer advice and options when it comes to your oral hygiene. Every piece of advice starting from brushing your teeth on a regular basis to getting porcelain dental veneers is worth thinking over. When it comes to looks, you should pay equal attention both to your body and your teeth.
All in all, you should probably go easy on the shakes and workout drinks. Taking proteins won’t hurt you at all, but being careful with the ‘common beverages’ is a must. Remember that even a cup of lemonade can have detrimental effects. Having a pearly white smile and a good-looking body isn’t so easy, but it sure is worth fighting for. What good does your perfect six-pack do if you can’t properly smile about it?
