An Overview of the Impact of Lifestyle Behaviors on the Operative Dentistry

Objective: This review provides important insights into how the personal lifestyle behaviors may affect the oral health, especially with respect the Operative Dentistry field. Thus, the effect of lifestyle behavior on the dental hard tissues and restorative materials was explored, aiming to assess preventive and restorative strategies. Materials and Methods: Studies focusing on the potential effects of lifestyle behaviors on the restorative dentistry were used as a resource data. The collected literature was based on the original scientific full-papers from peerreviewed journals in PubMed database. Results: Lifestyle behaviors may lead to changes in the appearance of dental tissue and dental restorations. The frequent consumption of coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco can lead to discoloration of tooth and resin-based materials. In addition, cigarette smoke may hinder the adhesive bonding mechanism and also may affect the physical properties of restorative materials. Occupational exposure to acid environment, addicted to acid drinks and regular/competitive swimmers should be aware of the potential risk for dental erosion. Moreover, since sports injuries can seriously lead to tooth and facial damage, the use of protective devices during sports activities should be emphasized, especially for athletes and regular practitioners of high-risk activities. Conclusion: Lifestyle behaviors may jeopardize the dental tissues and accelerate the aging process of aesthetic dental restorations. Thus, the widespread knowledge of this potential risks on the oral health and restorative dentistry is beneficial for targeting educational health care programs, preventive and reparative therapies.