6 lifestyle changes to treat tooth loss

Even if you already have missing teeth, there are many new techniques that can restore your natural smile. You'll also want to look at making lifestyle changes to improve your oral health.

The main cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease, a common but serious condition that can be prevented.

• Protecting your teeth isn't only about what you do at the dentist’s office, it’s also important to make changes to your day-to-day life.

Flossing every day and brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, using a bacteria-killing mouthwash, and rinsing your mouth with water after meals — is the best way to prevent tooth loss from periodontal disease.

• It’s never too late to start: studies suggest that caring for your teeth, along with regular professional cleanings, is often enough to reverse existing periodontal disease.

You're also better off if you don't smoke.

• People who puff on cigarettes, cigars or pipes are much more likely to lose their teeth than those who don't.

One of the most important aspects of a tooth-protection plan is to eat a healthful diet that includes plenty of nuts and cheese.

• These foods contain chemical compounds that inhibit the growth of tooth-damaging bacteria.
• You'll also want to have several daily servings of calcium-rich foods, such as milk or fortified cereals or juices.
• Calcium strengthens bones throughout the body, including the bones that support your teeth. Adults who get the least calcium in their diets are twice as likely to develop gum disease as those who get the most.
• Also, be sure to eat plenty of high-fibre foods. The fibrous tissues in fruits, vegetables and other plant foods scour away plaque buildup and also stimulate healthy gum tissue.

If you play active sports, do your teeth a favour and wear a mouth guard.

• Custom-fitted mouth guards made by a dentist tend to be the most comfortable, but it’s fine to use the ones sold in sporting goods stores.
• Dentists recommend "boil and bite" styles. The mouth guard is softened in hot water, then placed in the mouth and shaped around the teeth to make a comfortable fit.

You can't have healthy teeth without a healthy immune system.

• One way to boost your immunity and prevent inflammation and tooth-damaging in­­­­­fections is to reduce the stressors in your life.
• Studies have shown that regular exercise, yoga and other relaxation techniques can help prevent periodontal disease from starting.

A tasty way to protect your teeth is to drink a cup or two of black tea daily.

• This type of tea contains chemical compounds that ­suppress the growth of bacteria and inhibit their ability to cling to the teeth.

Dental health is an important part of your overall health and can have a huge impact on the rest of your body. Follow these tips to keep your teeth looking great and your body in tip-top condition.