Are Your Lifestyle Choices Affecting Your Oral Health?

At Noble Oaks Dentistry, we want you to have optimal oral health. One of the best ways to do this is to make wise choices in your everyday life that do not negatively affect your oral health. Unfortunately, some patients make poor lifestyle choices, and it can negatively impact your oral health. While these habits might not be affecting your oral health now, they will most certainly lead to problems in the future. Here are lifestyle choices that can be negatively affecting your oral health:

Frequent Snacking
You may be surprised to learn that eating and drinking frequently throughout the day outside of mealtimes can lead to serious issues with your oral health. Each time you eat and drink, harmful bacteria remain on and between the teeth and along the gumline. If you do not brush each time you eat and drink, this added bacteria can develop into decay. This is why we recommend avoiding frequent snacking and drinking and eating only at mealtimes. If you like to drink throughout the day, it should be water.

Smoking and Overall Alcohol Consumption
For years you have learned about the dangers of smoking not only for your overall health but also for your oral health. Overindulging in alcohol can also lead to serious issues. Problems can arise such as gum disease and decay.

High Stress
If you live a stressful lifestyle, your oral health may suffer as a result. Patients who experience higher than normal levels of stress commonly experience bruxism, or teeth clenching and grinding. Over time, this will lead to uneven wear, which can cause teeth to crack and break.

If you are experiencing dental discomfort, in need of a routine hygiene examination, or experiencing a dental emergency, we can help. Contact our office located in Spotswood, NJ to schedule an appointment. We want to help get your oral health on track.