Poor oral health care can result in overall poor health. Like other part of the body, oral care is equally important, poor oral hygiene can lead to several chronic diseases and other health issues. To prevent these health issues, practicing good oral hygiene is very important. People at an early age should get into good practices. Regular dental visits, brushing regularly, flossing and watching what you eat are all important steps in preventing dental diseases and keeping you in good health. Maintaining excellent oral health and keeping your natural teeth throughout your life is most important.

The important things for the overall good oral hygiene are oil pulling, brushing teeth twice daily, flossing for interdental cleaning, avoid tobacco eating and smoking, eating less sugar added food, snacking less between meals and regular dental check-up. Keeping oral microbes under control is also important, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbes that multiply and lead to disease. Certain kind of medication reduces saliva flow. Some of the diseases that are linked to poor oral health are diabetes, osteoporosis, AIDS, Alzheimer’s diseases, Rheumatoid arthritis. Good oral hygiene helps to prevent dental and gum problems - mainly plaque (soft whitish deposit on the teeth combine with food and saliva), tartar (harden calcified plaque, sticks firmly to the teeth), bad breath, tooth erosion. Some of the problems associated with gums are Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), Periodontitis (when gingivitis becomes worse) which is the main causes of gum disease and tooth decay (dental caries). Dental erosion slowly increases sensitivity to various stimuli including cold temperatures, sweet stimuli and touching the affected areas. Good oral hygiene may also help to prevent or delay dental erosion. Poor oral hygiene is not just associated with problems in your mouth. There are a number of other conditions which have been linked to gum disease. It is thought that germs entering the bloodstream from the mouth can travel elsewhere in the body, making infections more likely. Also, the inflammation response that happens when you have gingivitis or periodontitis can also trigger inflammation elsewhere. Oral manifestation may be the first sign of gastrointestinal diseases. This is definitely the case in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone. Another common problem that is associated with teeth is the discoloration of teeth. Changes in the color of your teeth may be subtle and happen gradually. Certain kinds of food with a high content of tannin are the potential cause of yellow teeth. Some of the most common cause of tooth discoloration includes drinking beverages such as coffee, soda, and wine. Practicing good dental care from infancy to adulthood can help a person keep their teeth and gums healthy. It may also benefit your overall health.

Have an idea to help us improve? Send your feedback >