IMPACT OF UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE ON ORAL HEALTH

Our lifestyle impacts our health, our mindset and behavior as well. Additionally, our lifestyle also has a major impact on dental health. The best example to demonstrate this would be the effect of smoking on your teeth. Not only smoking but there are a few more unhealthy practices that spoil your oral health. Here is a detailed overview of how unhealthy lifestyle and practices impact your oral health.

POOR ORAL HYGIENE

Few people have the habit of having bed-tea without even brushing their teeth. Do you know that plaque builds up in your mouth every night? When you do not brush your teeth in the morning and have food/drinks, the plaque sticks firmly to the teeth and gums and becomes difficult to remove. Bacteria are the promoters of most tooth infections like cavities, tooth decay and gum diseases. Also, plaque and food particles stuck between the teeth and bacteria begin to feed on them. Flossing removes the plaque and debris from the gaps in between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. Skipping brushing and flossing of teeth every morning and before going to bed, increases the risk for oral infections.

EATING TOO MUCH OF SUGARS

Chocolates, ice creams, candies, sweets, sugary drinks- the very thought of these leaves your mouth watering, right? But did you know that the bacteria in your mouth love sugar more than you? Bacteria in your mouth feed on these sugars and form plaque on your teeth and gums. These bacterial build-ups named plaque release harmful acids that erode the enamel. Damaging the enamel, they create cavities that extend to the inner tissues of the teeth, further leading to teeth sensitivity and tooth decay. Thus excessive sugars are the enemies to your dental health.

CARBONATED DRINKS & CAFFEINE

Sodas and sugary juices are ladened with sugars that promote bacterial build-up, and other dental disorders, as already mentioned. Carbonated drinks and caffeine products like coffee, tea form stains on your teeth. Continuous consumption of these drinks without following a proper dental hygiene routine can cause irreversible tooth discoloration. Also, carbonated drinks are acidic that spoils the protective layer of the tooth known as enamel. Hence limit the consumption of these drinks as acidic drinks have a very negative impact on teeth.

FREQUENT CONSUMPTION OF JUNK FOODS

Junk foods or fast foods are delicious and prepared quickly, thus savoring your taste buds and saving your time. But these junk foods are packed with too many carbohydrates and are too sticky. Sticky foods hide in the gaps in between the teeth, and bacteria feed on them, causing plaque formation. Once the plaque gets formed, you know the consequences. While junk foods increase the risk for diabetes, heart diseases and obesity, they are also known to cause cavities and dental diseases.

USING TEETH AS A TOOL

Want to open a soda bottle, but the opener is missing? Give me, I’ll open it with my mouth! Have you done the same? Firstly you need to understand that your teeth are not any tool, they are a part of your body, so nourish them care. When you open your teeth for such hard activities, the uneven force gets exerted on your teeth, damaging the gums as well as the bones. Additionally, teeth and the enamel get chipped too. Use your teeth only to chew your food and not as a tool.

UNHEALTHY PRACTICES WITH TEETH

You would have seen people biting their nails when under stress. This practice is linked to a mental health issue, and when you bite your nails, your teeth get chipped off. Not only nails but people also have the habit of biting or chewing on pencils and other stationery. Never put anything in your mouth other than healthy food and drinks.

Owing to stress and anxiety, the grinding of teeth during the night chips the enamel and damages the jawbones. If you suffer from Bruxism or teeth grinding disorder, visit the dentist and wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Practice meditation to relieve your mind from stress and anxiety.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Consumption of alcohol has become a habit for many. Have you seen the stains on your clothes when wine drops on them accidentally? Imagine the condition of your teeth when you consume this wine! You must understand that continuous consumption of alcohol stains your teeth and weakens your enamel because of the acidity. Also, alcohol decreases the production of saliva that causes a dry mouth. Dry mouth, in turn, gives rise to several dental disorders.

SMOKING

It is a well-known fact that smoking and tobacco consumption leads to cancer. Smoking affects your oral health as well. The smoke from cigars and cigarettes affect your teeth and gums too. Smoking is one of the major causes of plaque build-up in gums. The bacteria in the plaque destroy the gums causing bleeding of gums, swollen gums and severe gum diseases like Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Consumption of tobacco leaves your mouth dry because the production of saliva decreases. A dry mouth leads to plaque formation, cavities and gum diseases. Bad breath and loss of taste are also the gifts offered by these harmful tobacco products and smoking. Not only these common oral infections, but prolonged smoking also leads to oral cancer, lung diseases and weakens the immune system of the body, making it difficult for the body to fight bacteria.

If you possess any of the above-mentioned habits, cut down on them and nourish extra care for your oral health. Follow the best and healthy practices for your teeth as you cannot afford to lose your natural teeth because artificial counterparts do not serve long. Hence try to preserve your natural teeth and gums by following proper dental hygiene and giving up on unhealthy practices. Visit our clinic The Elite Dental Care, one of the leading clinics in Tracy, California to correct your tooth imperfections and treat your oral infections.