We all know that brushing, flossing your teeth, well balanced diet and regular visits to the dentist are essential to keep your dental health in a perfect condition. Here is something you might not know and it might make you laugh but yoga can also be beneficial for your dental health 😊
Yoga reduces stress:
Stress negatively impacts our whole body and it also affects health of our teeth and gums. The main factor for teeth grinding is stress. Clenching and grinding teeth leads to chips, cracks and signs of wear. All that damage can lead to sensitivity, receding gums and nerve damage.
When we are under stress we tend to over indulge ourselves in not so healthy foods such as sugary snacks. If our teeth are exposed to sugar for prolonged periods, saliva in our mouth produce more harming bacteria and development of cavities is very likely.
Yoga is a great stress buster – if you practice regularly you can learn how to control and reduce stress. You will be able to decrease or prevent teeth grinding, inflammation and emotional eating.
Yoga Improves Posture:
Posture has a lot to do with dental health. Poor posture can cause the head to fall forward, pushing the jaw out and affecting the alignment of the teeth. Left unaided, this can result in jaw issues, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). Side effects of TMJ include chronic headaches, pain when opening the jaw, uneven tooth wear, cracked teeth, and pain when chewing or swallowing. Fortunately, yoga can help to improve posture and help take strain off the neck and jaw.
Yoga Increases Salivation:
Saliva is an amazing compound. It rinses the mouth, removing food particles and bacteria. It also contains antibacterial enzymes which help to break down food and make it easier to swallow. When saliva production slows, and the mouth is allowed to go dry, bacteria flourish. Chronic dry mouth can lead to problems such as a build-up of plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. That’s why it’s so important we keep our saliva flowing!
Yoga can reduce stress, improve posture, and stimulate saliva production, all of which help to counter a number of dental health issues. Combined with good oral hygiene habits (e.g. teeth brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings), yoga you can keep your teeth and gums in tip-top condition.
What is your favorite yoga pose?