{"id":230,"date":"2025-08-21T17:33:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T17:33:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mindyourmouthmaine.com\/blog\/?p=230"},"modified":"2025-09-24T17:36:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T17:36:28","slug":"can-regular-exercise-prevent-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindyourmouthmaine.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/21\/can-regular-exercise-prevent-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Regular Exercise Prevent Gum Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Regular exercise truly does<\/em> do the body good. In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, it also builds muscle, increases energy, improves sleep, and it can even benefit your smile, too. Here\u2019s how staying fit can protect your teeth and gums and help you live a longer, happier life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease<\/a> (also known as periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums that occurs when oral bacteria infiltrate        the tissue. If left untreated, it can cause a variety of oral health problems, including receding gums, loose or missing teeth, and jawbone deterioration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease and Exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You probably already know that the best way to protect yourself from gum disease is to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. That, in conjunction with visiting your dentist twice a year for your regular cleaning and check-up appointments can help safeguard your smile from the ravages of periodontal infections that could cause you to lose your teeth and even portions of your jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what you may not<\/em> have known is that exercise can benefit your smile, too. In fact, a recent study by Colgate found that those who don\u2019t smoke and work out regularly are 54 percent less likely to have gum disease than those who don\u2019t work out and don\u2019t smoke! This is likely because exercise reduces inflammation in your body, and by default, your gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Ways to Prevent Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to regular visits to your dentist, exercise, brushing, and flossing, you can help prevent gum disease by doing the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n