Oral hygiene is not just about having a bright smile; it’s crucial for your overall health. Neglecting oral health can lead to various dental problems and contribute to systemic health issues. Poor dental hygiene can lead to problems that are much bigger than an unpleasant smile.Tooth decay and gum disease can affect other parts of your body, including your heart. Good oral/dental health translates to good health overall.
Dental problems such as cavities or gum disease can impair your ability to eat and speak properly, cause pain and bad breath. And what many people may not realize, is that poor dental health can have a profoundly, negative affect on areas outside of the mouth, including your heart, diabetes, pregnancy and chronic inflammation, such as arthritis — to name a few.
Gum infections, such as periodontitis, have been linked to premature births and low-birth weight in pregnant women.
People with diabetes are also prone to periodontal disease.
Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, making the gums more susceptible to infection, which can adversely affect blood sugar. It’s a vicious cycle. And painful mouth sores, are common in people who have HIV.
Practicing good dental hygiene is so important, because it can prevent these type of oral disease and dental problems. And prevention should be the primary focus.
Basic Oral Hygiene Routine
Your mouth and teeth deserve to stay clean all the time to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Thankfully, there are many ways to practice proper oral hygiene, including:
Brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste
Floss daily to remove plaque from areas the toothbrush can’ reach. Use high-quality dental floss to make cleaning easy.
Eat a healthy diet rich in nutrients that can help prevent gum disease. Examples of such nutrients are Vitamin B (eggs, meat, legumes, nuts, green vegetables etc.)
- Vitamin A( carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes etc. )
- Vitamin D (cereals etc.)
Avoid smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, which contribute much to oral cancer and gum disease.
Visit a dentist regularly for checkup and cleanings, which is the most effective way to diagnose the early signs of gum disease.
Every part of our body needs and should be cared for, while every aspect of our body’s health can affect other parts and systems. It’s not something we should take lightly. A healthy oral hygiene routine will do wonders for your teeth, mouth, and smile from a dental perspective. And that should keep the rest of your body smiling as well.
Dr Rochelle Sequeira
Ward no. 16