Health, Wellbeing and Your Oral Health
It is incredibly important that we are looking after ourselves during these challenging and stressful times. Living a positive and healthy lifestyle is not only important to your mental and physical well-being, but your oral health too.
Here are some top tips for taking extra care of your wellbeing and oral health:
# Tip 1: Sleep!
We’ve all had nights when we just can’t switch off, and when we don’t get the sleep we need . And as a consequence, the next day, our concentration suffers, our moods sway, our stress goes up and even our heart rate is impacted. It’s so important that we try to get the recommended 7-9 hours’ sleep a night.
Did you know that stress can cause us to grind our teeth and or clenching our teeth or jaws?
Stress can have a huge negative impact on our general health and we see it often here in the practice. Don’t ignore the signs. Severe grinding can cause broken teeth (which in severe cases can result in extraction) and ulcers. If you’re struggling, please get in touch with the practice to see how we can help you to protect your teeth.
# Tip 2: Eat a balanced diet.
What you eat, and drink can cause serious oral damage. In fact, sugar has a direct connection to tooth decay. After eating foods that contain sugar, tiny molecules combine with saliva and bacteria which when combined, leads to plaque. Left on teeth, plaque can dissolve enamel, which leads to cavities.
More of us are working from home, and the temptation for snacking in between meals is hard to resist. (Don’t we know it!!). It’s not easy – be mindful and make sure you’re seeing the hygienist on a regular basis.
More top tips from The Oral Health Foundation here.
# Tip 3: Physical exercise counts.
Did you know that there is a vital link between BMI and your dental health?
Exercise boosts your mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods. It also improves your self-esteem and cognitive function. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that people who maintain a normal weight and get the recommended amount of exercise had a 40% lower likelihood of having periodontitis.
Further information can be found at here.
