How Does Your Dental Health Impact Your Lifestyle?
Oral hygiene is a very important part of our lifestyle. Without a healthy set of teeth or gums, daily life-sustaining activities such as eating and speaking can be affected. Not following a good oral routine can also result in cavities and gum diseases. Read along to know how your dental health can affect your overall health and lifestyle.
Dental Health and Lifestyle
Our mouth, like any other part of our body, is in constant contact with usually harmless bacteria. This bacterium can attack the food stuck between our teeth and gums. However, the same can be avoided by following a proper oral routine including brushing, flossing and rinsing.
When the bacteria and plaque in our mouth build up in absence of a dental routine, it leads to problems such as cavities and gum diseases. The scary part is that once your tooth gets decayed, it cannot be reversed. It is then followed by frequent dentist visits and painful expensive treatments.
Impact of Dental Health on Lifestyle
Poor dental health not only impacts our smiles but also affects daily activities like eating and speaking. However, that's not it. Studies have shown it might also contribute to other diseases and problems such as:
- Endocarditis: Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium, the inside lining of your heart. Bacterial overgrowth is the most common cause of endocarditis. Although these bacteria generally exist on the inner or outer surfaces of our body, having bad oral health or gum diseases can introduce these bacteria into our bodies.
- Atherosclerosis: The buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery causes atherosclerosis or thickening or hardening of the arteries. Plaques can burst, resulting in a clot that obstructs the artery. The reason for atherosclerosis hasn't been discovered correctly yet, however oral bacteria may cause inflammation and infections, which can lead to heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke, according to some studies.
- Complications during pregnancy and childbirth: Premature birth and low birth weight have been connected to periodontitis. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a common infection that affects the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth. The majority of cases of periodontitis can be avoided with proper dental hygiene.
Impact of Lifestyle on Dental Health
Several disorders, including cavities, periodontal disease, and oral cancer, can have an impact on oral health. Genetics, systemic disorders, and whether or not you have an accident that affects your pearly whites are all factors that can affect how well your smile endures over time. However, our daily behaviours also have a significant impact on your oral health. Some of them are:
- Diet: Your diet not only affects your physical health but also has a great impact on your dental health. It may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection if you don't get enough of certain nutrients in your diet. For instance, having a calcium-rich diet such as cheese, eggs and almonds can strengthen your enamel and prevent tooth decay. Avoid eating sugar and drinking sugar drinks if you have any dental problems
- Smoking: Smoking might harm your oral health. Smoking depletes the body's natural defences against illness. This makes fighting a gum infection more difficult. Smokers are more likely to develop oral cancer, gum disease, tooth loss, rot on the roots of teeth, and complications after tooth removal and gum and oral surgery.
- Sleep Schedule: If you don't have seven to eight hours of sleep every day, it can adversely affect your oral health as well among other things. This could be due to the fact that lack of sleep leads to inflammation. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and occurs when the gums become inflamed.
How to Improve Dental Health
Once you have a cavity, the only solution is to take the tooth out, which can be very painful and costly. Therefore, prevention by following a proper oral hygiene routine can save you from cavities and gum diseases. Some of these easy steps are:
- Brushing your teeth regularly: Brushing your teeth twice a day can remove plaque and disease-causing bacteria. It can also help you get rid of any particles stuck in your teeth or gums. For healthy gums and teeth, it is necessary to brush your teeth for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss your teeth: Flossing is an often-overlooked and undervalued aspect of oral hygiene. To floss, you must use a flossing thread and hold it between your thumb and fingers. In back and forth motion, move the thread between your teeth and gums. Flossing can help you get rid of the food particles and plaque that is stuck between your teeth and gums, thereby reducing bacteria and cavities.
- Use tongue cleaners regularly: Bacteria and plaque can build upon our tongues as well. This can lead to a serious case of bad breath. Additionally, the germs on your tongue can cause white discolouration and can return to your teeth and gums after you've cleaned them. As a result, using a tongue cleaner regularly is important. Along with brushing, flossing, and rinsing, a tongue cleanser is an important aspect of your oral hygiene routine that you should not overlook.
- Improve your diet: As discussed before, a healthy diet is essential for a healthy set of teeth and gums. Eat calcium-rich food along with fruits and vegetables to strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay.
- Use hygienic storage solution for your toothbrush: It is necessary to protect your toothbrush from getting infected by bacteria and dust. A wet and uncovered toothbrush becomes a hotspot for bacteria breeding. This bacteria when reaches your body can cause infections and diseases. Therefore it is important to use a toothbrush protector.
BrushGuard toothbrush protection holders are a convenient and hygienic way to store your toothbrushes. They prevent your toothbrushes from cross-contamination and airborne germ transmitted diseases by keeping them dry and covered. Check out their personalized BrushGuard range to invest in elegant and sturdy electric toothbrush holders, with your name printed on them.