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Surprising Ways Your Life Affects Your Oral Health [BLOG]

Gum Disease Treatment 3 Modesto, CA | Sierra Dental Care

We love seeing you at Sierra Dental Care for routine cleanings and exams. Getting to know you is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do here in Modesto, CA!
After all, we care about keeping your smile healthy as much as you do!
That’s why, with World Oral Health Day coming up on March 20, we thought it was a great time to devote the blog to surprising ways that your life affects your teeth, gums, and overall wellness. It will help you know more about ways you can keep your smile looking and feeling its best.

3 Ways Your Life Affects Your Oral Health

Just over 25 years ago, a study concerning public health was published by a London university that explored the connections between a number of lifestyle factors and their effects on the oral health of the study’s middle-aged, working adult participants.
What the research uncovered was a significant connection between teeth and gum health and three main life characteristics:
*Work-related stress
*Quality of marriage
*Socioeconomic status
Basically, the study suggested that people who experience a high level of stress at work, problems in their marriage, or financial strain are associated with a higher number of cavities and poor periodontal health.
Now, this particular study looked at all sorts of other contributing factors to poor oral health, but that doesn’t take away from the fascinating relationship between these three potentially stressful life circumstances.
And yes, it was conducted a rather long time ago, but what it does tell us is that even then, research was pointing to some type of connection between your mouth, your mind, and your body in regard to health and wellness.
The important question now is what do we do with this long-supported relationship?
A good first step is to think about how your life, work, and relationships are impacted by stress and how you can manage it before it leads to dental problems.

Putting It All Together

Sometimes, it can feel like staying healthy is a constant uphill battle. In some ways, perhaps it is. It’s not like we’re all fortunate enough to control many of the factors that contribute to problems with your oral health, for example.
You have a job that demands a lot of your time and attention, but you have to make a living.
Your financial situation has put a strain on your marriage, but you work through the stress for the sake of your relationship and for your family.
Life is full of so many challenges and stressors, many that can significantly, and negatively, impact your oral and overall health.
That means it’s more important than ever to learn how to take care of yourself despite being pulled in many different directions.
You can’t necessarily change or improve your professional, financial, or marital situation overnight, of course, but you can learn healthy ways to cope with the stress that comes with them.
We often find it hard to give ourselves permission to slow down and take time to decompress. In our busy lives, it’s easy to feel guilty or self-indulgent to pursue personal hobbies and interests when there are so many other things competing for our attention.
So try starting with small changes.
What we mean is, try setting aside just fifteen minutes a day just for yourself.
It could be first thing in the morning or just before you turn in at night. A few minutes of deep breathing and light stretching can make a world of difference in letting go of the day’s mental and physical burdens.
When you start to feel a difference in how you feel, such as an increase in energy or a more positive frame of mind, you’ll feel better about giving yourself a little more time each day. Eventually, you’ll learn how to cope with stress so that it doesn’t get out of control and affect your oral and overall health.

Schedule An Appointment

At Sierra Dental Care, we don’t stop at identifying problems that threaten your healthy smile. We aim to provide solutions.
We offer many strategies for getting your oral health back on track and ways to maintain a smile that’s already healthy.
We can also boost your confidence with cosmetic dentistry. A bright, beautiful smile can do wonders for the way you feel about yourself and improve your quality of life.
Dr. Marinello Manuel and our experienced staff have the skills and technology to keep your teeth and gums safe from the stressful daily grind.
To learn more about how we can improve your oral health and protect your smile, or to request an appointment with us, call (209) 575-2400 or reach out to us online.

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