Your oral health is one of the most valuable assets that you have not only because it is the first thing that people see in you but also because it influences your overall health in a great way.

The way you lead your life can affect your dental health of your gums and teeth is determined by the habits you have and the lifestyle you follow. You cannot expect just brushing, flossing and rinsing can offer comprehensive oral hygiene if you are not good with the other areas of life.

So here are some lifestyle habits that can wreak havoc on your oral health. If you have any of these, you should make an effort to shun the habit as soon as possible. Just take a look.

• Smoking – It is a well-known fact that smoking casts many negative effects on the overall health. The teeth can be stained by the tar and the nicotine present in the cigarettes. As bacteria build-up is caused by smoking it can even lead to gum disease. Moreover, a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream also limits the capability of the gums to heal by itself. About 90 percent of the smokers and the tobacco users are said to develop cancer in the tongue, lips, mouth and throat and the greater the amount of the tobacco the more the risk involved. As compared to the non-smokers, the smokers are about 6 times more prone to develop these cancers. Research reveals that even reducing the smoking amount can start to impact your health positively. Nevertheless, completely quitting to smoke is something that you should try to achieve for the betterment of your overall health.
• Having Acidic Foods and Drinks Constantly – The teeth can be weakened by the acidic foods like citrus juices, fruits and vinegar the result of which is acid erosion. This involves the enamel which is the top layer of the teeth getting thinned and eventually being destroyed. The acid erosion is something that is impossible to reverse and this leads to sensitivity, decay and pain in the teeth. Apart form that, consuming the sugary foods can also make the enamel weak. You should avoid the foods like the dried fruits and candies. Your teeth get bathed in chemicals and acids every time you drink soda be it diet or not. Alcohol is also responsible for drying out the mouth and eroding the teeth that enhances the chance of decay by reducing the production of saliva.
  Biting the Fingernails – This is a hard habit to kick but at the time of chewing the nails there is a high chance of your enamel getting worn out and your tooth getting chipped or cracked apart from bacteria being spread from the nail to the mouth. So the next time you feel like biting the nail you should tap your fingers or squeeze a rubber ball.
• Brushing the Teeth too Hard – Brushing the teeth on a regular basis is a part of the routine for maintaining oral hygiene. But you must understand that more harm is caused than any good if you brush too hard. Brushing too hard can have some serious consequences like the gums getting irritated and enamel getting worn down causing cavities and even making the teeth sensitive to cold. A soft-bristled brush should be your preference to keep such issues at bay. But ensure the bristles are firm enough to remove plaque. To reduce the symptoms of abrasion often the installation of filling is recommended. To correct the recession of gums, at times, even a gum surgery can be required. So over-brushing or brushing too hard should be shunned immediately.
• Clenching or Grinding the Teeth – Stress and anxiety are the main contributors of this condition. The sad part is that most patients are not even aware that they are doing it. If this habit is not abandoned then the teeth can crack after getting thinner, there will be pain in the mouth muscles and jaws that can lead to headaches and the chewing can get more challenging. Similar is the case if you use the teeth to tear off the tags, open the bottles and open plastic bags.

The above are some of the lifestyle factors that can affect your oral health. You should try to kick these habits as soon as possible and even take the help of a reputed dentist nearby if you are facing any problem with your oral health or are being unable to get rid of any of these habits. She can assist you and suggests you ways to come out of them and lead a better life with great oral health.

Author Bio:

Sawoni Chowdhury is an aficionado of writing. She is an expert writer and blogger and shares her views and opinions on a range of topics such as Lifestyle, Business, Entertainment