Pollution Issues Leading to Poor Oral Health
When it comes to our overall health and wellness, while each and every part of our body is certainly important, one of the most vital aspects to our overall health has got to be the health of our oral cavity or mouth – ie. our oral health and wellness. Oral health and wellness are considered supremely vital, as our mouths are the openings by which we intake all food and most nutrients from. And by having strong oral health and wellness, we are far more likely to ensure that our bodies are very healthy. According to the best family dentist Rego Park has to offer, Dr. Pinkhasova of Affordable Dental, while the majority of our oral health is taken care from brushing, flossing and other methods of normal care, there are a number of different factors out there that can cause you oral health damage, one of the most interesting being pollution and airborne issues. while it might sound crazy to think about, its actually a strong possibility that air borne pollution can have quite a drastic impact on the health and overall appearance of our teeth. In this article we will explore the connection of our oral health and the amount of pollution within the atmosphere.
Pollution and Oral Health
First and foremost, we must understand that as one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world, NYC is also full of unwanted pollution. While we can look west to see the pollution blocking out the foothills, we don’t often look in the mirror at our teeth to see the impact pollution has on our mouths. Is there a connection between New York City’s air pollution and your oral health? There seems to be. According to a recent study, exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of mouth cancer.While air pollution may play a role in mouth cancer, tobacco use is still the number one cause. If you are a smoker, vaper or chewer in NYC, you may want to see your dentist for an oral cancer screening called OralID. This technology can help patients and dentists catch and treat oral cancer sooner, early detection is key!
Clean Air and Clean Teeth
Keeping a healthy smile is pretty straight forward: brush twice a day, use mouthwash and floss daily, chew sugar-free gum between meals and keep your regularly scheduled dental checkups at least twice a year. According to Dr. Pinkhasova, the best family dentist Rego Park has to offer, taking measures to quit habits like smoking and chewing tobacco, and drinking alcohol in excess, will also significantly improve oral health. Now keeping the air clean, that’s a whole different matter.
The Clean Air Act was designed for reducing air quality related health conditions and premature death, and was put into force in 1970. NYC legislators continue to work on reducing air pollution by addressing commuter traffic with a Mobility Action Plan which includes increasing mass transit. Up to 40% of the air pollution is a result of the growing oil and gas production industry in the state, which is something that lawmakers are looking to address as well. According to the best family dentist Rego Park has to offer, Dr. PInkhasova, when it comes to reducing the pollution in New York City or your specific area, there are a number of different things you can do. In fact, one of the most common is by reducing the number of vehicles on the road, as that is one of the most common causes of pollution across larger cities around the world. By riding mass transit, riding your bike, and taking part in some type of carpooling program to and from work, you can not only make a huge difference on the environment, but it could also help rejuvenate your overall health and wellness – by both reducing the amount of your carbon footprint, as well as by getting more exercise and riding a bike or walking. For more information on your dental health needs, be sure to contact Affordable Dental today.
