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Hey Runners! Pay Special Attention To Your Oral Health

It’s Time To Love Your Smile

blog-featured-image-oral-health-and-runningWe know that exercise is very important for both our mental and physical health. However, have you thought about the effects of running on your oral health? While those two things may seem unrelated, they’re actually not. Fear not. Dr. Francisco Garcia at Garcia Orthodontics will explain the correlation between running and oral health.

Oral Health and Running

While the rest of your body may be in great shape, each extra training hour actually increases your risk of tooth decay. Athletes are at risk for two specific oral health problems: dry mouth effects and sports-related nutrition effects.

  1. Dry Mouth Effects – When you’re on a run, you’re likely breathing heavily through your mouth. This makes your mouth as dry as a desert. Due to the potential for dehydration (at some level), you don’t recover from dry mouth as quickly as you would otherwise.

Dry mouth creates a danger zone for your teeth. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 30% of all tooth decay in older adults is caused by dry mouth. Saliva is required to help to wash away food debris and reduce plaque – reducing your risk for gum disease and tooth decay.

  1. Sports-Related Nutrition Effects – Think about the things you might be consuming as a runner. Acidic sports drinks, energy gels or gummies, and energy bars often containing lots of sugar. These substances inside a dry mouth, along with the fact they will sit on your teeth for a while, creates a toxic environment for your teeth.

Maintaining Oral Health for Runners

It is important to keep in mind that these factors do NOT mean that you should stop running. Instead, think about adopting new habits to help you protect your teeth:

  • Drinks lots of water (not energy drinks)
  • Brush your teeth before and after workouts
  • If you’re consuming gels, mix in carrots or celery which help scrub away debris from the teeth.

Whether you have braces or clear aligners, it is important for any runner to pay special attention to their oral health. For questions or concerns about the effects of running during orthodontic treatment, contact our office. Your smile is our priority.

About Dr. Francisco J. Garcia

Dr. Francisco J. Garcia, DMD is the founder of Garcia Orthodontics in Miami, Florida. A proud Miami native, Dr. Garcia has spent over a decade helping patients achieve healthier, more confident smiles through advanced orthodontic care, including Invisalign, clear braces, and early treatment options. He proudly serves families throughout Miami and Kendall with personalized, patient-focused care.
Dr. Garcia earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree with honors in general dentistry from Boston University. He then completed a two-year, accredited post-doctoral program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, where he specialized in diagnosing and correcting complex bite and jaw issues. As a dedicated leader in his field, Dr. Garcia is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and is committed to ongoing education and clinical excellence.
His licensure and professional credentials are also verified in the National Provider Identifier (NPI) Registry.
At Garcia Orthodontics, Dr. Garcia blends cutting-edge technology with a compassionate, multilingual approach—he speaks six languages—to ensure every patient receives exceptional care in a welcoming environment. Learn more about Dr. Garcia here or book your consultation to take the first step toward your best smile.