Your oral health is intricately linked to your overall health – certain health issues can trigger certain oral problems, and certain oral problems can morph into complex health problems. As such, some choices you make in life might not seem related at all to your dentition, but they can have significant consequences on your oral health. That’s why it doesn’t usually surprise us when patients with a commendable history of oral hygiene turn up at our offices with serious dental problems.
Read on to find out more about some seemingly less significant, yet highly consequential lifestyle habits that can help shore up your dental health.
Some Simple Yet Highly Pivotal Lifestyle Changes That Support Your Oral Health
The first on our list is abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. The tar and nicotine buildup from alcohol and tobacco consumption increases your risks of contracting oral cancer, gum disease, and other serious dental problems. Alcohol dehydrates your mouth and creates an acidic environment – all important factors that contribute to bacterial growth inside the mouth.
Sugary foods also increase the acidity of the mouth, paving the way for bacterial growth that can result in cavities, tooth decay, and gum problems. You can replace sugary food and snacks with more mouth-friendly alternatives live leafy greens, apples, carrots, almonds, cheese, etc. These foods are not only sugar-free, but also have appreciable amounts of calcium, vitamin, and other nutrients that are essential to your dental health.
Drinking plenty of water can also empower your mouth to fight against bacterial invasion. The inflow of water into the mouth washes off food sediments and bacterial buildups before they can pose any serious threats. Besides, fluoride in tap water helps strengthen the enamel, which is the outer protective layer of the teeth.
Other lifestyle changes that promote oral health include limiting sodas and coffees which contain harmful additives, tongue scraping, exercising, which helps reinforce our immune system against conditions like diabetes and autoimmune syndromes which cause oral problems.
Want more tips for lifestyle choices that support your dental health? Call our office today to get highly personalized recommendations.