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The “Freshmen 15” is a phrase used to describe the few extra pounds that college students put on when they first start out. While there may be obvious general health risks with putting weight on, there’s also many risks to your oral health too.
One of the most common causes of obesity is an ‘addiction’ to sugar and therefore all the unhealthy foods that include a plethora of sugar. While obesity can cause many health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, it can also lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
An addiction to sugary substances can result in handfuls of cavities setting up home in your mouth, some of which you may not even realise are there until you pay a visit to your dentist.
Here are the top tips by our Oxford House Dentist in Milton Keynes on keeping healthy as a student and how you can keep your oral hygiene in check.
A healthy and balanced lifestyle includes eating healthy and nutritional food which is low in sugar and high in fibre. Regular exercise should also be carried out to ensure that your body operates efficiently and that you keep the pounds off. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is another factor that you should consider when maintaining a balanced lifestyle as it will help you to relax and recover each day, so that you’re fully prepared for the following day.
Despite the likes of chocolate, crisps and cakes being extremely appetising, they’re also incredibly unhealthy for you unless eaten in moderation. If you want to keep your oral hygiene in check then you may want to consider swapping sweet foods for something much healthier such as fruit, vegetables or nuts.
It’s imperative to your health overall that you drink plenty of water throughout the day. Not only will it keep your whole body healthy, but it will also mean that your mouth stays moist and replenished. Caffeinated drinks are fine in moderation but excessive amounts may cause tooth decay and plaque build-up.
Brushing your teeth should be something you do every day without fail anyway, but we thought we’d just remind you anyway! You should use a toothbrush with soft bristles and an easy to use handle with a small brush head to ensure optimal brushing technique. Remember to be extremely gentle when brushing your teeth as excessive brushing can cause bleeding gums and sensitive teeth.
Don’t wait until your mouth starts suffering to visit your dentist; you should make regular appointments even if it’s just for a check-up. Once you get your ‘adult’ teeth, they’ll last you for the rest of your life so it’s incredibly important that you look after them. This includes having regular check-ups with your dentist to ensure that everything is in order.
Sugary snacks are incredibly unhealthy for you and you should only eat them in moderation. By snacking on sugary things in between meals, you’ll not only put on the pounds but you’ll also be damaging your teeth.
Excess alcohol is not only bad for your general health but it can also be damaging to your oral health too. It can cause discolouration of your teeth as well as tooth decay and dry mouth, resulting in bad breath. Furthermore, smoking is also known to be detrimental to your health as it’s known to cause various types of cancer, teeth stains, as well as gum disease. If you want to quit smoking and improve your health and oral hygiene, read out our easy tips to quit smoking and avoid teeth staining.
Similar to sugary snacks, sugary drinks can also play a part in the decaying of your teeth. Many sugary drinks are full of acids that can cause enamel erosion and tooth decay, as well as helping you to pile on the pounds.
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