Dental Lifestyles

The teen years can be a very stressful time and having a healthy self-esteem goes a long way in making these often difficult years easier. Self-esteem is related to many issues, including dental health. Taking proper care of your teeth can go a long way in making you feel better — after all, the first thing we notice about other people is their smile.

Good self-esteem is important because it helps you to feel good about yourself and feel proud of your accomplishments and abilities. Having good self-esteem is also important to making good choices about your mind and body. If you feel good about yourself, you’ll be less likely to follow the crowd if your friends are doing something you think isn’t healthy. If you have good self-esteem, you know that you’re smart enough to make your own decisions and able to defend yourself against peer pressure.

How does one improve their self-esteem? It starts with you. Take a look at yourself and feel proud about who you are. And surround yourself with people who feel the same about you – stay away from people who are negative influences. Take care of yourself. Give yourself compliments. Stay positive. And smile.

Smoking
By now, we all know that smoking is bad for your health. But smoking can also have an effect on your breath.

Tobacco use often leads to a common form of halitosis generally referred to as “smoker’s breath”. Smoking dries the membranes of the mouth and the lack of moisturizing saliva enhances the growth of bacteria leading to bad breath. In fact, studies have shown that smokers have a 10 times greater incidence of periodontal disease than non-smokers. Signs of periodontal disease can include:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Pus between gums and teeth
  • Sensitivity when flossing
  • Swelling or redness of gums
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit together
  • Receding Gums
  • Loose teeth

Don’t let your health (and your breath) go up in smoke.

Bad breath and proper dental hygiene

Bad Breath
When an individual has bad breath, bacteria are often present in substantial numbers. In addition to bad breath, those byproducts that the bacteria produce and leave in the saliva, on the tongue and between the teeth can contribute to a very unpleasant taste. Bad breath can be caused by many factors including the food we eat, poor or irregular eating habits such as skipping meals, as well as the consumption of alcohol, and the use of tobacco.

Individuals who suffer from chronic bad breath react with great embarrassment and discomfort knowing that their mouth odor is unpleasant to those around them. It often causes anxiety and has a negative impact on self-esteem. It is necessary to have chronic bad breath assessed and treated for greater all-around health.