Most people don’t know that oral health matters. You might think that you are doing an excellent job of oral hygiene, but the truth is that there is more to oral health than just brushing your teeth every day. You need to establish a healthy diet and visit your dentist regularly. This way, you will be able to achieve better oral health more effectively.
Oral health is essential because it is part of people’s overall health. If your oral health is compromised, then the rest of your body will be compromised, too. Therefore, people need to prioritize their oral health all the time to avoid problems that might compromise their overall health down the line.
Oral Health Matters
People who neglect their oral health end up facing more problems with their health down the line. Failing to address oral health problems immediately will require people to undergo oral care procedures such as dental surgery. Below are examples of the most common oral health problems that people can suffer from:
-
Tooth decay
Tooth decay happens when a person overeats sugary food and consumes a lot of sugary drinks. These foods can damage tooth enamel which is the hard surface that protects teeth. Once this happens, oral bacteria will start to feed on sugar particles in your mouth after eating or drinking something sweet. This action releases acids as waste products which cause cavities over time if not treated immediately.
Tooth decay can lead to bad breath, toothaches, and oral infections if left untreated. Therefore, people should address tooth decay as soon as it is manifested.
-
Gum disease
Gum diseases are common oral health problems that affect around 47% of American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The two most common types of gum diseases are gingivitis, a mild type of inflammation in your mouth, and periodontitis, a more serious infection that can lead to tooth loss if not treated.
Gingivitis is caused by bacteria in plaque that forms when food particles are not removed from the mouth. Oral hygiene habits can contribute to the buildup of these harmful substances, so people need to brush their teeth after every meal.
On the other hand, periodontitis is caused by plaque that forms on the tooth’s surface. The only way to treat these diseases is through oral health care practices such as proper brushing and flossing techniques combined with regular dental visits where a dentist will clean your teeth.
-
Mouth cancer
Mouth cancer is caused by oral cancer cells that grow in the oral cavity. The only way to prevent oral cancers from forming is through proper oral health care practices such as regular brushing and flossing combined with regular dental visits.
If you have been neglecting your oral health for some time now, it may be difficult to convince yourself to start oral health care practices and go to the dentist. However, if you do not treat your oral diseases as soon as possible, they may become more difficult and expensive to treat later on.
Caring for Your Mouth
There are plenty of ways that people can care for their mouths. Below are some examples:
-
Brushing your teeth regularly
Regular brushing is the best way to care for your oral health. Brushing should be done at least twice a day, once in the morning before breakfast and again before going to bed. However, you mustn’t brush immediately after eating because doing so may cause damage to the enamel of your teeth due to acid exposure from food particles leftover on your teeth.
-
Flossing regularly
Flossing is also essential to oral health because it can help remove food particles stuck between your teeth. Flossing should be done at least twice a day, like brushing, but doing so before going to bed is recommended since you do not want the food deposits sticking around on your teeth for hours when they may begin to cause tooth decay if not removed immediately.
-
Using mouthwash
Mouthwash may be used after flossing and brushing your teeth to further reduce the number of oral bacteria in your mouth. This will help prevent tooth decay and eliminate bad breath, which may occur if there are too many oral bacteria on your teeth or gums.
-
Avoiding sugary foods
You should also try to avoid sugary foods and drinks as much as possible since they have been known to contribute to tooth decay. If you do eat a lot of these types of food, make sure that, if possible, your oral health routine includes brushing teeth after eating them. This way, the extra sugar does not lead to further damage to your mouth.
Encouraging brighter smiles
People need to prioritize their oral health because it will lead to a better oral hygiene routine and encourage more confidence. In addition to this, oral health will always have an impact on people’s overall health. Therefore, it is worth it for people to invest in their oral health as much as possible.
