- Don’t Smoke
People that participate in the act of smoking cigarettes are three to six times more likely to develop periodontal or gum disease. These ailments can cause teeth to fall out by attacking the roots of the teeth. Even chewing tobacco can irritate your gum tissues and cause loose teeth which can lead to bacteria deposits and lead to tooth decay.
- Don’t Drink Alcohol
The main problem for the mouth that occurs from drinking alcohol is dry mouth. Alcohol disturbs the flow of saliva which can cause xerostomia. When the flow of saliva is reduced, the danger of gum disease and tooth decay increases exponentially.
- Don’t Eat Sugar
Eating or drinking refined sugar is directly associated with tooth decay. Sugar molecules combine themselves with bacteria and saliva in the mouth. This combination leads to the formation of plaque on teeth and if left on teeth, plaque can dissolve enamel and lead to cavities.
- Fasting
Fasting has been proven to reset your body's natural circadian rhythm, which is important for your overall health. If you’re not getting adequate sleep and eating harmful foods this can upset your immune function and your body’s natural processes. This disruption in immune function can lead to the spread of bacteria that are known to cause gum disease, bleeding gums, and tooth decay. Besides, the massive benefits for your whole body such as fat loss, reduced inflammation, cellular repair, boosted cognitive function, and overall health - fasting is a great benefit for your oral microbiome. One reason for this is you’re restricting the time you're eating, so you're limiting the time harmful sugars and other substances are spending in your mouth causing all sorts of reactions. Doing a 16 - 8 (16-hour fast with an 8-hour eating window) is a great way to give your mouth and body a break and let it reset all its natural flows to keep everything working in tip-top shape. If you’re new to fasting and want some motivation and community a great mobile app I’ve used is called zero. Check it out!