It should come as no surprise that one’s lifestyle has a significant impact on one’s oral health. Exercise, diet, hygiene – and a host of other things – all contribute to wellbeing in general, and oral health specifically.  

There is plenty of research linking good oral health outcomes with good general health.

So what are the key lifestyle factors that actually support a healthy mouth? And more importantly, what are the easy changes we can make to ensure better health outcomes in the long term?  

Exercise + oral health

Researchers have uncovered significant links between exercise and oral health. One study published in the Journal of Dentistry showed that regular physical activity can boost periodontal health: “The report concluded that engaging in the recommended level of exercise is associated with lower periodontitis prevalence.”

The researchers observed that people who exercised regularly had a 54% lower likelihood of developing periodontitis compared to those who led sedentary lives.

Another study, this one published in the Journal of Periodontology, found that maintaining a normal weight and getting in the recommended amount of exercise produced a 40% lower likelihood of having periodontitis.

Diet + obesity

Of course diet plays a significant factor in the health of our mouths too. 

Foods that are high in acid content such as citrus and soda, and foods that are high in sugar content such as candy and juice can have very negative effects on tooth enamel and lead to issues later on in life. 

Low-calcium diets have also been shown to negatively affect oral health, as calcium plays a significant role in strengthening our teeth and protecting against breaks.

Click this link to check out Simply Dental’s Guide to Eating for Holistic Health.

Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is a very prominent cause of oral cancer and gum disease. Along with the obvious negative effects of having carcinogenic smoke in your lungs, throat and mouth, smoking also causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. This means that disease and injury in the mouth and gums heal a lot slower, a condition that can degrade overall oral health in the long run.

Smoking is also a major cause of cancer in the mouth, including cancers of the lip, tongue, cheeks and other sites in the mouth.

If you smoke, cut down as much as possible, or better yet, quit. 

Drinking

Not only are alcoholic drinks such as white wine, beer and cider usually very acidic (leading to erosion and potentially sensitive teeth) ‘harder’ liquors such as vodka and whiskey are highly dehydrating, increasing the incidence of dry mouth and problems associated with it.

The best beverage for long term health? You guessed it: plain old H20.   

Stress

It may not seem like it, but stress can have a significant deleterious effect on oral health. Bruxism is the compulsive and mostly unconscious act of teeth grinding, often caused by stress. Bruxism can happen during the day, but also can occur at night, which is when it really becomes a problem due to the fact it’s entirely unconscious. Along with weaker teeth due to the wearing of tooth enamel, extreme cases of bruxism can cause cracked teeth or jaw issues, both serious conditions that will require dental intervention.

Stress can be managed through self-care such as regular exercise, a good diet and good hygiene, as well as effective time-management and organization if work stress is apparent. Regular sessions with a counsellor or therapist have also shown to be extremely effective in managing stress and anxiety, which will aid your oral health. 

Oral hygiene + regular checkups

We say it a lot, but twice daily brushing and daily flossing play a huge part in long term oral health. Similarly, regular check ups from a health professional focused on holistic health – including your dentist or dental hygienist – are important too. Regular check ups will help you catch burgeoning issues before they become full-blown problems and contribute to your peace of mind. 

Better living

Making healthy choices such as monitoring the sugar and acid content of the food and drink you consume, and brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, are simple lifestyle changes that help support good oral and overall physical health. Simply Dental endorses in holistic dentistry approach, encouraging healthy lifestyle and prudent early intervention as the best approach managing oral and overall health.

Contact Simply Dental

At Simply Dental we recommend a balanced approach to well-being, including a healthy, varied diet, good daily hygiene practices, and regular dental checkups. To make a dental appointment in Wellington, contact Simply Dental.