Avoiding periodontal disease
Lifestyle choices make a huge difference to how we can care for our dental hygiene and our body. Those who work nights, stay up late, or don’t have a regular hygiene schedule are at even more risk for tooth problems and dental diseases because it becomes harder to maintain a regular dental hygiene schedule.
Diet considerations can also affect the mouth as bacteria is often formed from binge eating or having an unbalanced diet. On top of this, drinking and smoking can have a large impact on oral health too. When you combine all of these factors, there’s even more of a need to prioritize dental hygiene and frequent cleaning.
One large study conducted in europe showed that half a million oral cancer cases around the world (with 75% of them being in North America), were linked to excessive drinking, the use of tobacco products and not seeing a dentist regularly. Binge drinking and smoking actually weakens the cells inside the mouth, reducing our ability to fight off infections and if it is not caught, it can lead to half a million deaths each year.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Between regular cleanings that look out for other common dental problems such as cavities, peritonitis (gum disease) and gingivitis, oral cancer screenings can also be conducted by your dentist in Toronto on an as-need basis. Oral cancer screenings consist of checking all areas of the mouth for tiny sores or spots while also checking the neck and throat for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes. Given that this is the seventh most common form of cancer, it is recommended that adults who smoke, drink or have a history of oral cancer in their family, have an oral cancer screening once every three years. The good news is, if oral cancer is detected by your dentist at an early stage, it is possible that treatment can be given at a time that can reduce risk factors.
If you’re looking for a friendly and professional dentist in Toronto to improve your dental hygiene, please get in contact with us today to book your next appointment!
