Lifestyle has a big impact on both oral and overall health. As you go through life your mouth undergoes change far beyond all your permanent teeth erupting! So many factors influence your overall health and oral health. The major risk factors for many non communicable diseases (e.g. cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, diabetes, cancer) also increase risk of oral disease ie. sugar consumption, tobacco use, alcohol use and poor hygiene,
Dental diseases, tooth sensitivity and tooth loss, can all have a considerable impact on self-esteem, nutrition and health throughout life. Tooth decay in childhood can result in pain, sleep problems, time off school, poor self-esteem and speech problems. In older people, extensive tooth loss may limit intake of healthy foods, impair nutrition and increase the risk of chronic diseases (WHO 2017). Looking after your oral health benefits your general health, wellbeing and quality of life. The NHS website offers tips on lifestyle and oral health.
Due to the impact that lifestyle has on oral health, we have broken this down into four categories below – diet, alcohol, smoking and drugs. These are not exhaustive but aim to give you an overview of how lifestyle can impact your oral and overall health and well being. Your mouth is very much part of your body and what goes on in one part of the body often influences other parts including vital organs. We very much view oral health holistically i.e. in a way that considers the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of disease. If you have any questions, please contact us. You may also find a topic related to your lifestyle and oral health in our blog. There are a list of categories down the right side of the webpage. Not sure about your risk factors? Why not take