There are many lifestyle factors that can impact your health such as lack of proper nutrition, insufficient sleep, mental stress, tobacco and lack of exercise.Presence of any one or more of these options can cause diseases pertaining to oral health like periodontitis, tooth decay, precancerous lesions etc.
If one is not taking proper diet then there would be lack of essential nutrition leading to deficiency of vitamins and minerals that are responsible for normal functioning of the body’s immune system and compromised immunity would make the individual susceptible to various oral disorders.
Insufficient sleep again leads to decreased body immunity as it is in a continued state of stress further leading to other lifestyle disorders apart from oral pathologies like blood pressure, diabetes, obesity. And a compromised general health exposes one to various oral soft tissue diseases pertaining to gums and mucosa.
Tobacco consumption in any form is the most common cause of lifestyle disorders pertaining to oral health. The consumption may be in any form (chewable, cigarette). Its consumption can cause dryness of mouth as there is decreased salivation especially if one is a smoker which eventually causes the oral mucosa susceptible to abrasions and infections due to lack of protective mechanism that saliva has to offer. Tobacco chewing can also lead to various precancerous conditions which if not treated at right stage can be fatal.
Wondering what exercise got to do with oral health!! Exercise increases the body’s metabolism as well as blood circulation overall. There is also increased formation of White blood cells (body’s own defense mechanism against infection) thus maintaining the body’s threshold of fighting infection. Sedentary lifestyle causes diseases like Diabetes, cardiac disorders, obesity which compromises the natural defense mechanism of the body and oral cavity not being any exception to it. Exercising also release endorphin which helps control release of cortisol (stress hormone) in excess.
Alcohol is also a single common factor that is responsible for increased oral health diseases like irritation of gums, tongue, poor healing after dental surgical procedures, increased decay, increased risk of periodontal diseases and increased incidence of precancerous oral conditions. Smoking and alcohol consumption have additive action towards compromising ones oral health.
Therefore making simple changes in lifestyle like taking adequate sleep, regular exercise, avoid smoking and alcohol, proper diet along with good oral health habits and regular visit to a dentist can naturally keep you free from oral diseases.