The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Oral Health A number of dietary habits and lifestyle factors can affect oral health, including: Sugar consumption. “Having a sugar-laden diet will contribute to tooth decay and gum problems, as the bacteria in the mouth thrive in this environment,” producing tooth and gum-destroying enzymes and acids. Smoking. Dental care experts have long known that smoking cigarettes and cigars and using tobacco products can cause periodontal disease (gum disease), tooth decay, and oral cancer. Cigars can also cause periodontal disease and throat, or pharyngeal, cancer. “The smoke from tobacco has a toxic effect on gum tissue, and can interfere with blood flow,” “Smoking also stains the heck out of teeth, is a direct cause of oral cancer, and can contribute to bad breath.” • Drinking alcohol. “Drinking can contribute to oral problems indirectly by resulting in a dehydrated mouth, which can allow bacteria to run rampant,” In addition, people who have alcohol addiction issues are probably less likely to consistently follow good dental care habits, he says. • Changes in weight. For those who wear dentures, changes in body weight tend to affect the way dentures fit. “Just as weight gain or loss affects the way clothes fit, that gain or loss also affects the gum pads on which dentures rest”. To help maintain a healthy weight and fight tooth decay, the ADA advises people to eat a diet rich in high-fiber fruits and vegetables. • Medication. “Some medications, for example, some antibiotics, can cause internal staining of teeth, such as tetracycline staining, depending on the age at which you take them,”. Also, “there are 200 to 400 medications, prescribed or over-the-counter, that have the side effect of drying up saliva. A dry mouth is more prone to gum disease and tooth decay, as well as bad breath.” Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body To maintain your oral health — and overall good health —you should see your dentist regularly to head off any problems early. You should also practice good oral hygiene at home by carefully brushing and flossing your teeth regularly in order to prevent plaque from accumulating and causing problems. There is nothing a dentist can do that a patient can’t undo by neglecting their dental care. http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/healthy-mouth-healthy-body.aspx

1. The Role of Diet and
Lifestyle
in Oral Health
A number of dietary habits and
lifestyle factors can affect oral health,
including:

2. Sugar Consumption: “Having a sugar-laden diet will contribute to
tooth decay and gum problems, as the bacteria in the mouth thrive in this
environment,” producing tooth and gum-destroying enzymes and acids.

3. Smoking: Dental care experts have long known that smoking cigarettes and cigars
and using tobacco products can cause periodontal disease (gum disease), tooth decay,
and oral cancer. Cigars can also cause periodontal disease and throat, or pharyngeal,
cancer. “The smoke from tobacco has a toxic effect on gum tissue, and can interfere
with blood flow,”
“Smoking also stains the heck out of teeth, is a direct cause of oral cancer, and can
contribute to bad breath.”

4. Drinking alcohol: “Drinking can contribute to oral problems indirectly
by resulting in a dehydrated mouth, which can allow bacteria to run rampant,”
In addition, people who have alcohol addiction issues are probably less likely to
consistently follow good dental care habits, he says.

5. Changes in weight: For those who wear dentures, changes in body
weight tend to affect the way dentures fit. “Just as weight gain or loss affects
the way clothes fit, that gain or loss also affects the gum pads on which
dentures rest”. To help maintain a healthy weight and fight tooth decay, the
ADA advises people to eat a diet rich in high-fiber fruits and vegetables.

6. Medication: “Some medications, for example, some antibiotics, can cause
internal staining of teeth, such as tetracycline staining, depending on the age
at which you take them,”. Also, “there are 200 to 400 medications, prescribed
or over-the-counter, that have the side effect of drying up saliva. A dry mouth
is more prone to gum disease and tooth decay, as well as bad breath.”

7. Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
To maintain your oral health — and overall good health
—you should see your dentist regularly to head off any
problems early. You should also practice good oral
hygiene at home by carefully brushing and flossing your
teeth regularly in order to prevent plaque from
accumulating and causing problems. There is nothing a
dentist can do that a patient can’t undo by neglecting
their dental care.
Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/healthy-mouth-healthy-body.aspx