We often think a healthy lifestyle means eating a healthy diet and getting as much exercise as we can.
Although these are both important for looking after your health we often forget about our oral health and how it impacts our overall health.
Oral health diseases can have a negative effect on our overall health as well as our oral health. Not taking care of our teeth and mouth can cause diseases and serious problems to occur. That’s why brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist on a regular basis are so important.
How does your lifestyle affect your mouth?
Smoking, drinking, taking medications and stress, all have a significant influence on how healthy your teeth and gums are.
Smoking
We know that smoking causes staining and discolouration of teeth, due to the nicotine and tar in cigarettes. But things can get much more serious than stained teeth. Smoking has also been linked to a decrease of blood flow to the teeth and gums, bone shrinkage, teeth loss, and an inhibiting of the production of the right kind of saliva (a serious problem given how crucial a role it plays in protecting your teeth from decay).
By far the most serious effect of prolonged tobacco use is oral cancer, which is nine times more likely to occur in smokers than non-smokers.
Alcohol
Sugar and acidity in alcohol are major contributors to teeth erosion. Adding to this is the damage caused by people going straight to sleep after consuming alcohol, only brushing their teeth the next morning, leaving their mouth unprotected from erosion and decay all night.
The solution - drink lots of water both when you’re out partying, and the next day. Also, try to avoid mixing with soft drinks so you can cut down on unnecessary sugars.
Stress
Are you under pressure at work or in your private life and feeling stressed? Too much stress can lead to all kinds of problems with your mouth, teeth and gums.
You can end up with mouth ulcers and cold sores as stress affects your immune system. Unconscious grinding and clenching of your teeth can also occur and at worst, can develop into a temporomandibular disorder (TMD or TMJ), which is a painful condition affecting the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull.
Stress can also lead you to neglect even the most basic of habits such as healthy eating, brushing and flossing your teeth.
If your oral health is being affected by your lifestyle, try making some small changes in the short term. Our dentists and hygienists are here for you and can help get your smile healthy. Book an appointment online today to get sorted.
Source: Maven Dental