Next time you are walking on the treadmill or pumping iron, consider this – your exercising might be causing some bad breath. Not nearly as much as poor diet and obesity can cause, but, nonetheless, your exercising can have your locker-mate or exercise partner turn away after a good workout! Does that mean you shouldn’t exercise? Of course not!
What causes this phenomenon? The primary cause of what we will call “exercise breath” is dehydration. Many of us breathe through our mouths while we work out, causing dry mouth and bad breath. First tip to healthy exercise and better breath is to drink lots of water! Keeping hydrated is not only one of the most important parts of an exercise regime, but also the best way to keep moisture in the mouth, thereby preventing those nasty bacteria from settling in. So be sure to keep a water bottle with you while you work out and sweat!
Your diet will play an important part in how your breath reacts to your exercise too. Keep sugar intake low since bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar. Remember that if you are on a low-carb diet, the chemicals produced by the extra fats and proteins in your system may produce bad breath, so extra water will help dilute those chemicals as well as work to keep you hydrated.
Good oral hygiene will help too. Keeping your mouth fresh and clean by brushing twice a day and using your TUNG Brush and Gel daily will keep bacteria accumulation in check. You might consider using an electric toothbrush for its massaging benefits as well. Remember that alcohol is a drying agent, so use a good alcohol-free mouthwash before you exercise to start the workout with as much of a bacteria-free mouth as possible.
Finally, if you feel the need to freshen up while working out, you can suck on a sugar-free lozenge or chew a piece of sugar-free gum until you get to refill your water bottle!
So, can exercise cause bad breath? You bet it can. But by keeping yourself hydrated, staying on a good and healthy diet and maintaining your daily oral hygiene routine of brushing and maintaining tongue cleanliness with your TUNG Brush and Gel, your body will thank you for keeping fit and your workout partner will thank you too!
