How gums and teeth are taken care of has an effect on overall health. Neglecting oral health can lead to more than bad breath and sore teeth. All sorts of problems, including oral cancer, can be caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene. Connections have been made between heart disease and gum problems. They are also linked to stroke, bacterial pneumonia, and pregnancy problems.
A Santa Barbara dentist will tell you that having an unhealthy mouth makes a person as unhealthy as having an infected foot. Lifestyle factors and dietary habits affect oral health. A sugar-laden diet contributes to gum problems and tooth decay. Bacteria thrive in that kind of environment. Gum and tooth destroying acids and enzymes are produced, according to dentists from Santa Barbara.
A Santa Barbara dentist has known that using tobacco products and smoking cigars cause oral cancer, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. Smoke has a toxic effect on the tissue of the gums and interferes with blood flow. Smoking also stains teeth and causes bad breath.
A Santa Barbara dentist will tell you that drinking indirectly, contributes to oral problems. Alcohol dehydrates the mouth and allows bacteria to run amok. Also, dentists from Santa Barbara know people having an alcohol addiction are less likely to follow habits of good dental care.
Weight changes affect those wearing dentures. Weight loss and gain affect gum pads that dentures rest upon in much the same way that losing or gaining weight affects the way clothes we wear fit. A dentist from Santa Barbara would recommend eating a diet rich in high-fiber vegetables and fruit. A Santa Barbara dentist knows medications, such as antibiotics, cause internal teeth staining.