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Is Running Bad for my Teeth?

Teeth

I was happily chewing on my holiday indulgence (even if the holidays are over), chocolate almonds from Classic Confections, when I bit into something much harder than an almond. To my horror, it was a quarter of my molar!

By the next day, I was at the dentist’s clinic having it mended. I thought a simple filling or “pasta” would do the trick. But, after much draining and poking around, the dentist delivered the bad news: You’ll need a root canal.  Even worse news: it would cost P12,000.  What?! That’s the price of a new running watch, or two pairs of running shoes, or a ton of new apparel! (If you’re asking: Must everything be associated with running? The answer is YES!)

I have no choice but to push through with the root canal next week. But, I also asked the dentist what the cause was so that I could prevent all my other teeth from chipping.

Could it be old age?  Or calcium-deficiency?  The dentist’s answer was unexpected.

My dentist’s guess is it’s running-related.  She said I may be gritting my teeth when I run or lift weights.  She even suggested I get a mouthguard to wear while I’m running and sleeping.  Oh boy.  Who would’ve thought a mouthguard would be my newest running accessory?

Posted on 01.22.10 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 12 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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12 Responses to “Is Running Bad for my Teeth?”

  1. Okay this is really funny. I think you get to “gigil” when running, wanting to improve your PR. I can’t imagine you wearing a mouth guard. And I can totally relate to your reaction on the 12k price tag.

    Mayi said on Jan 22 10 at 8:07 PM Reply

    • I didn’t think I get gigil, but how can I argue with this kind of evidence?! After I pay for the root canal, I don’t even want to spend for the mouthguard anymore :P

      thebullrunner said on Jan 22 10 at 9:40 PM Reply

    • hi jaymie,

      i also have the same problem. my dentist also suggested a root canal. hmmm…

      Reylynne said on Jan 25 10 at 11:51 AM Reply

  2. There is actually a product for this concern: http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/accessories/&?eid=Portal|Mouthwear|ShopAccessories|Banner

    It’s being endorsed by Macca. I remember Hector and I were dumbstruck about the item when I showed him. BUT I guess there is a target market. Cheers.

    Paolo Manuel said on Jan 22 10 at 9:06 PM Reply

    • Thanks for the link, Paolo! I didn’t know this was such a common problem. Is Secondwind going to start selling it? hehe

      thebullrunner said on Jan 22 10 at 9:42 PM Reply

      • Oh… I don’t think Secondwind will sell them. Too bad though, I catch myself grinding my molars too when running.

        P.S. Yikes 12k…

        Paolo Manuel said on Jan 23 10 at 12:35 PM

  3. Shocked at the P12k root canal price! Got mine 2 weeks ago for the price of an Asics 2140.

    AC said on Jan 23 10 at 8:36 AM Reply

    • Unfair! My dentist said mine has three roots hence the price. Oh well, at least after all the running we can eat all we want with our perfect teeth

      thebullrunner said on Jan 24 10 at 10:30 PM Reply

  4. Alam mo Ive undergone 3 root canals ever since i started running 2 years ago. hmmmmm.

    jack said on Jan 23 10 at 3:39 PM Reply

  5. i do remember reading it somewhere that sports drinks may weaken the structure of teeth. heres another link that discusses that.
    http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/08/sports.drinks.teeth/index.html
    what i do is dilute the sports drink. we dont need that much sodium anyway. hope that helps.

    dan said on Jan 25 10 at 8:51 PM Reply

    • Hi Dan, thanks for the link. Bottom portion of the article says though that there’s no evidence. I’ve heard of this before so just to be sure, I drink water after I drink my Gatorade.

      thebullrunner said on Jan 27 10 at 8:21 AM Reply

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