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When it comes to oral hygiene, routine brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist are essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But even if you follow these best practices, certain habits and activities in your daily life may still be compromising your oral health. To help you keep your mouth—and the rest of your body—in good shape, here are a few major ways that your lifestyle can impact your dental health.

Which Lifestyle Choices Affect Oral Hygiene?

Diet

Consuming sugary snacks and acidic foods can wear away at tooth enamel, increasing your risk of cavities. Other items—such as dark berries, tomato sauce, and beets—can stain your smile, requiring the need for teeth whitening.

There are also many foods and beverages that you should eat to support your oral health. For example, fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can help boost your immune health, making you less susceptible to dental infections and gum disease. Leafy greens, milk, and others rich in calcium can also help build strong teeth to resist against decay.

Exercise

Being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of tooth and gum decay. By making an effort to exercise regularly, you’ll reduce the risks of excess weight. Additionally, regular activity will help boost your immune health and circulation, and in turn, help your mouth better defend against infection.  

oral hygieneSmoking

In addition to adding to numerous health problems, smoking cigarettes can cause serious damage to your smile. Specifically, the American Dental Association says those who smoke have a higher chance of tooth discoloration, tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.

Alcohol Consumption

Similar to cigarettes, drinking alcohol can impact your oral health in many different ways. For example, drinking red wine may stain your teeth. Alcohol also increases the risk of dehydration, which in turn, may cause dry mouth. When you have dry mouth, you don’t have enough saliva to properly rinse away bacteria and debris—an oral hygiene problem that contributes to tooth decay and gum disease.

Stress

High stress can cause a person to develop bruxism—a condition characterized by nighttime teeth grinding. Properly managing stress can help reduce tension, allowing you to put less destructive pressure on your teeth.

 

When you want to discover new solutions to help promote your oral health, talk to the professionals at Tohill Dentistry. Located in Somerset, KY, this father-son dental care team is known for providing stress-free and reliable treatment. From routine cleanings to cosmetic dentistry, these local dentists are equipped to defend your mouth from common dental health issues. Understanding the impact lifestyle has on oral hygiene, these providers can also introduce you to several solutions and habits that may boost the health of your teeth and gums. Visit this clinic online to learn more about their services, and call (606) 679-4450 to schedule an appointment.

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