Lifestyle and Oral health

Abstract

The term lifestyle is a diffuse concept often used to denote the way people live, reflecting a whole range of social values, attitudes and activities. Lifestyles are learnt through social interaction with parents, peer groups, friends and siblings and through school and mass media. Health requires the promotion of healthy lifestyle. Many current-day health problems especially in developing countries are associated with lifestyle changes. Behaviours such as smoking, physical exercise, activity in everyday life, alcohol consumption, diet, self-care practices, social contacts, and work-style are important contributing factors to population health status and variations in ill health with age. Lifestyle has been associated with oral health; specifically dental caries, periodontal disease, number of teeth and edentulousness. Several oral diseases are linked to noncommunicable chronic diseases primarily because of common risk factors. Worldwide strengthening of public health programmes through the implementation of effective measures for the prevention of oral disease and promotion of oral health is urgently needed. The challenges of improving oral health are particularly great in developing countries. Copyright © www.iiste.org

Keywords: Lifestyle and oral health, dental caries, periodontal disease, developing country