In earlier posts I have discussed my love of running and some ways it can benefit overall and oral health. As covered in “How is Running Related to Periodontal Disease?” running is great! A quick Google search on running and dental health, however, tells a different story.
What is the difference between dental health and periodontal health and how can running be good for one and bad for the other?
Periodontal health refers to the health of the supporting structures of our teeth – i.e. gums and bone. Bacteria in the mouth can cause gingivitis (gum disease) which can progress to periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease, which involves loss of bone and sometimes teeth.
Dental health refers to the health of the teeth themselves. Bacteria in the mouth can cause erosion (weakening of enamel) and caries (tooth decay/”cavities”). A person can have good periodontal health and poor dental health or good dental health and poor periodontal health.
So what does running have to do with the teeth?
When we run long distances such as marathons and ultramarathons, we need fast fuel. Fast fuel means something small and convenient to carry and something that our body can digest and utilize for energy quickly. This usually means sports drinks, sports gels, or sports gummies. These are mostly sugars such as sucrose, fructose and maltodextrin, (click here for definitions of common ingredients in sports gels) which are fermentable carbohydrates, meaning bacteria in our mouths can metabolize them and reduce the oral pH which can lead to enamel erosion and/or tooth decay. Couple this with their generally sticky quality and reduced saliva flow when we are running for long periods of time and while we may have no symptoms, the teeth may be screaming!
Now, I know I didn’t say we eat lemons when running, but the pH-lowering effects of simple sugars on the teeth are similar to rubbing them with acidic lemons!
What is a runner to do? When using sports fuels be sure to rinse your mouth vigorously with water following each intake. If you are running ultras, (which can mean running 24 hours or more) I do not expect that you will stop for a toothbrushing break, but do make sure that during your daily life before and after your events, you brush twice per day for two minutes with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss once per day, keep acid (sugar) exposures to a minimum, rinse with water following acid exposures and visit your dental hygienist and dentist regularly.
Brush, floss, run!
Reflections on Adult Education 