Diet & Lifestyle Habits that Affect Oral Health

You might be surprised to learn that your diet and lifestyle can greatly affect your oral health. Regular oral habits, such as brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist contribute to your overall health, but what else affects your oral health? Your overall health can have a substantial effect on the health of your teeth and gums and well being. A fantastic and fail proof route to healthy teeth and gums is to eat a balanced, healthy diet. But what lifestyle habits affect oral health? Lets dive in and take a look.

Poor Hygiene – Brushing your teeth regularly is the best habit to have in order to promote a good oral health. Being consistent with brushing and flossing means brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. When you care for your teeth you create a healthy lifestyle habit with positive benefits, like preventing tooth loss, infection, and gum disease.

Alcohol Consumption – Having an occasional drink is fine, but consistent alcohol consumption can increase your risk of oral cancer, as well as dry mouth that can create gum disease. Watching how often you drink alcohol and limiting your consumption will help prevent unwanted disease and illness. 

Oral Piercings – The position of the piercing isn’t the problem, but the actual hardware used for the piercing can damage your teeth and gums. Piercings on the lips, cheeks or tongue can cause damage that could lead to infection. 

Tobacco Use – Smoking is known to cause a wide variety of health issues. Tobacco cause can lead to gum disease as well as oral cancers. On the less fatal spectrum, tobacco causes staining to your teeth and can lead to bad breath. Understanding the risks linked to smoking can help you make the best decision to protect your overall and oral health.

Vaping – While vaping is still a newer trend, studies are still discovering the long term health risks involved with vaping. Of the health risks known, increased gum disease, dry mouth, gum inflammation and oral bacteria growth are linked to vaping. Vaping puts various chemicals straight into your body and of the chemicals known to exist with vaping are carcinogens that increase the risk of heart disease.  The misconception that vaping is healthier than smoking is false and you should research the cons associated with smoking and vaping to protect your health. 

Too Much Sugar or Soda – Avoiding all forms of sugar can be difficult and in moderation won’t negatively affect your health. High sugar intake can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Many sugary foods and drinks are acidic, which can chip away at tooth enamel. Always check your food labels, as sugars can be hidden in most foods!

The takeaway: Practicing good oral and lifestyle habits will ensure your teeth are healthy for years to come. If you’re interested in learning more about oral health or would like to setup an appointment, Dr. Greenbaum would love to see your smile!

📞: Bethesda Office Phone Number 301-530-3600
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 📍 : 6410 Rockledge Drive Suite 106, Bethesda, MD