It seems unlikely that there could be correlations between yoga and dental health, but there are parallels that can impact overall health and wellbeing, particularly for those that practice yoga regularly.
Are yoga and healthy teeth really connected? They could be! Here are some ways that this fitness trend could connect to your oral health:
Stress
How do you deal with stress? Yoga is a great way to handle and cope with stress through the practice of controlled breathing and exercise. When stress is untreated, it can lead to a host of problems including dental issues. Some of the ways that stress can impact your dental wellbeing is through grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. You can crack the enamel on your teeth and experience pain in the jaw, mouth, and headaches, over time. It is suggested that 20 minutes of daily yoga practice can reduce stress significantly and reduce discomfort.
You should know that stress can also lead to increased production of hormones, which may cause swelling and inflammation in the gums. This can increase your propensity to contract gum disease, the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the US. Yoga can alleviate the tension, thus reducing swelling associated with stress.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common but problematic condition that occurs when your saliva glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth and gums adequately lubricated. This can lead to gingivitis and gum disease- and even premature tooth loss. Yoga endorses deep, controlled breathing techniques that can, amazingly enough, stimulate saliva production. Saliva helps to get rid of bacteria in the mouth and helps curb bad breath, a common symptom of dry mouth.
Chronic Back Pain
Yoga can improve your posture and realign your spine. In some cases, slouching misaligns the spine to the point where it can also impact the bite of your teeth. When your bite is off, you may feel pain when chewing or have trouble articulating speech.
Headaches
When your jaw or mouth hurts, you may also notice that you experience headaches. With a brief but consistent yoga routine when you wake up, you may find that this reduces the aches and pains in your mouth and head all day long. Consider incorporating yoga into your daily routine as a preventative health measure.
Insomnia
How is your sleep? If you participate in yoga regularly, you may find that you sleep better. The subsequent benefits of good sleep include holistic health and wellbeing, reduction in stress, and improved focus. When you feel better, you may take better care of yourself- including your teeth. Perhaps you will brush more, floss more frequently, and be motivated to improve your smile cosmetically. Yoga improves sleep and sleep could have dental health advantages; it is that simple.
You certainly don’t need yoga to have a healthy mouth, but if it’s part of your fitness routine, yoga could keep you smiling in more ways than one! Don’t forget regular visits to your provider at Old Mt Pleasant Dentistry, in Mt Pleasant, SC, a family dental practice that believes everyone needs to know about good oral health care. Call to schedule an appointment today.
