Dental and Oral Health: What you need to know

dental and oral health

AN OVERVIEW

Maintaining your dental and oral health is extremely important. Improper maintenance of oral health can lead to dental cavities and gum diseases and eventually lead to linked diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart diseases.

It’s always essential to maintain our teeth and gums in good health. It is a lifelong commitment. Proper oral hygiene must be practised regularly like brushing, flossing and balance in the intake of sugar. The more responsible we are about our dental and oral hygiene, the easier it will be to avoid costly dental procedures and other health issues.

THE TOPICS THAT WILL BE COVERED ARE:

  1. FACTS ABOUT DENTAL AND ORAL HYGIENE
  2. STEPS TO MAINTAIN ORAL HYGIENE
  3. SYMPTOMS OF DENTAL AND ORAL DISEASES
  4. CAUSES OF SUCH DISEASES 
  5. TYPES OF DISEASES
  6. TREATMENT
  7. PREVENTION
  8. ORAL HEALTH AND ADULTS
  9. ORAL HEALTH AND KIDS

FACTS ABOUT DENTAL AND ORAL HEALTH :

  1. Nearly 100 percent of adults have at least one dental cavity.
  2. Tobacco use and diabetes are two risk factors for gum disease.
  3. Children from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities as children from higher-income families.
  4. There are 700 different types of bacteria in your mouth alone.
  5. The hardest substance found in the human body is your tooth enamel.

Flossing is a very essential part of oral hygiene. If you do not floss then you are missing over 40% of tooth surfaces.

STEPS TO MAINTAIN ORAL HYGIENE

Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.

1)  Flossing your teeth at least once a day.

2) Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

3)  Avoiding tobacco products.

4)  Decreasing the intake of sugar. .)  Drinking fluoridated water.

SYMPTOMS OF DENTAL AND ORAL  PROBLEMS

We should never wait for symptoms to go to our dentist. We must go to the dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and maintenance. But there are some serious symptoms which more like a warning sign of dental health issues then you must seek your dentist as soon as possible:

  1. Pain or toothache
  2. Loose teeth
  3. Ulcers, sores or tender areas in the mouth that won’t heal after a week or two.
  4. Receding gums
  5. Swelling of the face and cheeks
  6. Chronic bad breath
  7. Bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing
  8. Pain with chewing or biting
  9. The clicking of the jaw
  10. Frequent dry mouth

If any of these symptoms are accompanied by high fever and facial or neck swelling then seek emergency medical treatment.

Causes of dental and oral problems

cause of dental problems

The main affecting part of dental and oral problems are the teeth and the gums. These problems can be caused by one’s habits, physical actions or any historic factors.

Some of the common causes of such problems are:

  • Poor brushing habits
  • Smoking
  • Family history or genetics
  • Certain infections such as HIV or AIDS
  • Hormonal changes
  • Diabetes
  • Frequent intake of sugary foods and drinks
  • Medications that reduce the saliva in the mouth

TYPES OF DENTAL AND ORAL DISEASES

Various diseases can be caused due to unhygienic and improper maintenance of dental and oral health. These are some of the most common diseases:

1. Cavities

Cavities are also called tooth decay. It is the tiny holes formed due to permanently damaged areas in the teeth. The causes of cavities include bacteria, snacking, intake of too many sugary foods and poor teeth cleaning.

2. Cracked or broken teeth

When a small crack appears on the teeth that’s when cracked or broken teeth is formed. The crack on the teeth can either be small and painless or it can become very painful.

3. Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that damages gums and can destroy the jawbone. It is very common but is easily preventable by maintaining proper oral hygiene.

4. Gum disease

Gum disease is when the swelling starts to appear in the gums. It is usually due to the building up of stain like plates on the teeth. It is caused due to poor oral hygienic habits.

5. Oral cancer

Oral cancer is when there is cancer in any part of the mouth. The main causes of this cancer include tobacco, heavy alcohol intake and HPV infection. Oral cancer can develop in the tongue, gums, lips, cheek or floor of the mouth.

TREATMENT FOR DENTAL AND ORAL PROBLEMS

treatment for dental health

The treatment of dental and oral problems depends on their causes and severity. You must always take your dentist’s opinion before taking any medications or treatments because that’s always better and safe.

These are some of the treatment methods used for various dental and oral problems:

  • Cleaning your teeth
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Antibiotics
  • Root canal
  • Fillings, crowns and sealants
  • Changing daily habits
  • Probiotics

PREVENTION OF VARIOUS DENTAL AND ORAL PROBLEMS

There are some very common prevention methods to always follow to maintain good oral health and avoid further problems.

  • Brushing your teeth twice a day.
  • Floss your teeth at least once a day.
  • Have your teeth cleaned by a dental professional every six months.
  • Limit the intake of sugar.
  • Avoid the use of tobacco and alcohol.
  • Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
  • Have a good diet.

ORAL HEALTH AND MEN

When a study was done, it was shown that men are more likely to get dental and oral diseases than women. Oral and throat cancers are seen as very common among men. Men are very less likely to brush twice a day, floss once a day or even seek any preventive dental care.

So, men have to understand the consequences of poor oral hygiene and take proper care.

ORAL HEALTH AND WOMEN

When it comes to women, it is less likely to cause any oral problems due to their actions. Instead, women face a lot of other factors that may lead to oral issues. Like the hormonal changes at different stages of their lives. When they start menstruating or even when their pregnant, they may go through things like mouth sores, reduction in saliva production or swollen gums.

ORAL HEALTH AND KIDS

kid's oral health

Studies have shown that kids start to visit a dentist by the time they are 1 year old. Especially if they are bottle-fed. This is mainly due to the sugar content in it which is left on the teeth after drinking the milk. So, to avoid that, try to bottle only after meals. Start to brush their teeth with a soft brush when the teeth start to come but do not use toothpaste until they learn not to swallow it. Parents should take their kids for a regular dental checkup every once in a while.

CONCLUSION

Oral health is as important as any other part of your body and its effects are going to have an impact not just on your teeth. Dental and oral health must always be maintained at all stages of life no matter what because it has a huge effect on your life. It can contribute to your self-esteem, speech and other factors. Going to a dentist once in a while must be a regular habit and it is the best way to keep things on track. After all, your health is in your own hands and it ultimately depends on the efforts you put the take care of it.

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