Did you know that dental problems can influence your overall health? Do you know that oral health gives some important clues about what happens in the rest of your body? Yes, dental health is more important than many people may realize, as it can affect general health.
Some lifestyle choices, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, nutritional disbalance, shortage of sleep, and physical inactivity, could still hurt your oral health. That's why you should take care of having
the right lifestyle choices
aside from good oral hygiene.
Here are 6 lifestyle changes that can boost your dental and overall health.
[tweet_box design="box_8"]Some lifestyle choices, such as
alcohol consumption
, smoking, nutritional disbalance, shortage of sleep, and physical inactivity, could still hurt your oral health. That's why you should take care of having the right lifestyle choices aside from good oral hygiene.[/tweet_box]
1. Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Your teeth would be grateful if you stop smoking. That will protect you against oral cancer and other health complications. In addition, it will eliminate a number of ill effects that come from agents which neutralize tobacco smell. For instance, many people use coffee, candies, or tea to mask the tobacco odor and breath. Wrong! This just redoubles damage. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes make the teeth yellow and destroy your gums as well.
Apart from that, tobacco creates a great environment for plaque and bacteria in your mouth, harming tissues and degrading the bones that support teeth. That increases the risk of losing teeth in smokers. Even worse, smoking often leads to oral cancer. Your best choice is to quit smoking if you don't want to have these problems.
Alcohol can cause dental problems indirectly by making the mouth dehydrated, which is a great environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Additionally, people who are addicted to alcohol are less likely to care about their teeth.
Cocktails are the most harmful for dental health when it comes to alcohol drinks, as they contain large amounts of sugar. When you drink, aim to alternate between a cocktail and a glass of water.
2. Cut Back on Sugar and Change Your Diet
Sugar-laden diet contributes to gum problems, cavities, and tooth decay, fueling acidity and bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria produce gum and tooth-destroying acids and enzymes that unbuild enamel. Try to reduce sugar intake by avoiding sweetened drinks and sugary snacks. It's also recommended flossing and brushing after every snack or meal, especially if they contain sugar.
It is not enough to
cut back on sugar
in order to have pearly whites. You should also make some change to your diet. The following foods are recommended for those wanting to improve their oral health, but also immune system and overall health:
- Leafy greens
- Fish
- Poultry
- Eggs
- Almonds
- Cheese
- Plain yogurt
- Vegetables
- Fruits
3. Limit Sodas and Coffee
These beverages are good for dental health if consumed in small amounts because they contain high levels of phosphorous. This mineral is beneficial for healthy teeth. However, great amounts of phosphorous can beat out the level of calcium in the body. This can cause some dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Moreover, sodas and coffee contain harmful additives like food dyes and corn syrups that make teeth appear discolored and dull. Try to limit these beverages if you can't completely eject them from use.
It's much better to drink milk instead. Milk is proven to build strong enamel and strengthen teeth, helping you to have a beautiful, healthy smile. In addition to milk, water is also good for dental health. By the way, water can hydrate the body much longer than sugar-sweetened beverages.
4. Consume Calcium, Vitamins, and Supplements
Your teeth need plenty of calcium to be strong and look pearly white. Calcium is not only beneficial for your teeth but also for strong bones. That's why you need to drink milk and consume dairy products such as yogurt and cheese on a daily basis. Besides, make sure to frequently eat broccoli and drink calcium-fortified orange juice.
You can also use calcium supplements, but be sure to take doses as per given prescription and in accordance with your age. Vitamin D and Calcium are essential for good health of teeth and gums. Likewise, Vitamin B-complex supplements are necessary for the protection of teeth and gums from bleeding and cracking. Zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and iodine are also important for oral health.
[tweet_box design="box_8"]Food supplements are capable of filling the gaps and improving oral health. [/tweet_box]
It's necessary in some cases to increase levels of certain minerals with supplements in order to help your teeth remineralize heal cavities. Many foods lack healthy nutrients because they are grown in nutrient-depleted soils. This is where supplements come in.
Food supplements are capable of filling the gaps and improving oral health. For example, fermented Cod Liver Oil is recommended for people suffering from tooth decay. This supplement is rich in Vitamins D, K, and A while containing the optimal combination of teeth-friendly nutrients. Coconut oil supplements are also often used for dental health, either melted in tea or in a smoothie.
5. Balance Your Hormones
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It's not so known (at least for most people) that hormones have a great impact on oral health. This is because they have control over the alkaline/acid balance in the mouth. Furthermore, hormones affect how the body fights or heals a certain disease.
Things like diet, stress, sleep, fitness, and physical activity have a significant impact on hormone levels and overall health. That makes a big difference in dental health. You must live a healthy lifestyle if you want to have a good hormone balance and hence good dental health. Otherwise, hormone imbalance can negatively affect your oral health.
6. Practice Good Oral Hygiene and Visit Your Dentist
Even if you're leading a healthy lifestyle, it is still important to maintain a good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for dental check-ups. Not only does good oral hygiene contribute to a great smile but it also improves overall health.
Poor oral hygiene leads to various medical and dental problems like infection, gum disease, heart disease, and bone loss. That's why a good oral hygiene is of utmost importance. Teeth brushing, flossing, and cleanings can help you prevent these health problems and boost your oral health.
However, if you want to have a full dental treatment, you need to visit your dentist on a regular basis.
Hamilton dentist
emphasizes that prevention is the best medicine and stands for treating the “whole” patient.
Aside from solving the existing dental problems, the dentist can also prevent the future oral problems from occurring. Even though, you must practice good oral hygiene apart from having a healthy lifestyle. There's nothing a dentist (even the best one) can do that you cannot undo by neglecting your dental care.