{"id":144,"date":"2018-03-10T22:37:06","date_gmt":"2018-03-10T22:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalspecialists.com\/blog\/?p=144"},"modified":"2018-03-20T22:39:02","modified_gmt":"2018-03-20T22:39:02","slug":"dentist-in-jacksonville-3-factors-influence-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalspecialists.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/10\/dentist-in-jacksonville-3-factors-influence-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Dentist in Jacksonville: 3 Factors That Influence Oral Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\"AMany of us know by now what we need to do take care of our teeth. Your dentist in Jacksonville<\/a> tells patients every day how important it is to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit him every six months. However, keeping these habits alone won\u2019t protect you if your lifestyle includes habits like smoking, failing to exercise, and eating poorly. Some of these habits are worse than others, but they all contribute to your oral health just as much as they do your overall health.\r\n\r\nTo help patients better understand, your dentist explains why making positive changes in your habits can make a difference in your oral health, outside of the regular brushing and flossing.\r\n\r\n\r\n

People Who are Obese are at Higher Risk<\/h2>\r\nPeople who are obese tend to be at higher risk of many different illnesses, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancers, but did you know obesity can influence your oral health as well? According to research on the link between obesity and oral disease, the main cause of elevated risk may be the resistance to insulin obese patients have. It\u2019s also worth mentioning that people with a higher body mass index (BMI) produce more inflammatory proteins.\r\n\r\nInflammation has been linked to periodontal disease many times in the past. When the body becomes inflamed, it\u2019s ability to fight infection becomes reduced, putting your gums at higher risk.\r\n

Your Nutrition Matters for Oral Health<\/h2>\r\nWhile it isn\u2019t taught enough, your dentist in Jacksonville knows that nutrition is the key to improving your overall and oral health. The saying \u201cYou are what you eat\u201d heavily applies when it comes to nutrition and it\u2019s no different for your teeth and gums.\r\n\r\nWhen you eat foods that are starchy or sugary, the bad bacteria in your mouth starts to consume it and convert the sugars from these foods into acid. This adds to the plaque buildup in your mouth and if not removed, causes tooth decay. When looking at gum disease, plaque can just as easily build up on your gums, making them red, swollen, and inflamed. By eating a balanced meal of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and proteins, you\u2019re far more likely to produce more saliva which works to protect your teeth throughout the day.\r\n

It\u2019s Time to Quit Smoking for Good<\/h2>\r\nUnlike many decades ago, people now realize how devasting smoking and using tobacco are for their overall health. It\u2019s also not doing any favors for your oral health. This is because using tobacco products does the following:\r\n