Harming the health of your mouth

Your lifestyle can harm the health of your mouth, especially if you undertake certain risk behaviours.

Diet

What you eat directly affects the health of your mouth. A diet high in sugar and fat, and low in fibre and essential vitamins, can lead to heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, cancers and dental decay.

Smoking

Smoking can lead to many diseases including cancers of the lung, throat and mouth. Smokers are also more likely to have heart disease, diabetes and gum disease, as well as other diseases of the soft tissues of the mouth.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumed in large quantities increases the risk of general conditions such as high blood pressure, liver disease, heart disease and cancers of the mouth. It’s also a factor in many social problems and resulting violence may result in fractures of the jaws and teeth.

Stress

Stress can play a major part in mouth disease. If you are under stress you may not be leading a healthy lifestyle. Those choices can affect your oral health. Managing stress is a major part of maintaining good oral health.