How healthy are your teeth and gums? Taking steps like brushing your teeth at least twice daily and minimizing sugary drinks can help maintain good dental health. Still, why does it matter?

Dental health doesn't only include having clean and cavity-free teeth. Cosmetic dentistry can also help improve the appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile. Common procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, and fillings.

Unfortunately, cosmetic dentistry services sometimes don’t include treatments in the jaw area. Instead, these situations may require procedures like Botox and fillers. 

Read on to know more about the great value of maintaining good dental health. 

The Importance of Good Dental Hygiene 

Good oral and dental health can help improve your overall health. For example, dental issues like cavities and gum disease can affect your ability to eat and speak effectively. 

Besides affecting your teeth and gums, oral health can also impact areas and conditions outside the mouth, including the:

• Heart
• Blood sugar levels 
• Arthritis 
• Pregnancy 

In addition, some studies suggest that bacteria in gum disease can lead to health conditions like heart disease and stroke. 

Good oral hygiene may help prevent various dental problems and oral diseases.

The Keys to Good Dental Hygiene 

Some steps to help achieve healthy dental hygiene include: 

• Brushing teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing daily
• Getting dental checkups every six months 

Diet is also important for dental health. You should minimize sugar intake and moderate alcohol drinking. Avoiding or quitting smoking is also a good option.

What Precisely Is Oral Health? 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that oral health is a vital sign of a person’s:

• Health
• Wellbeing
• Quality of life

Moreover, oral health can involve several conditions and diseases such as tooth loss, gum disease, and oral cancer. A 2019 study showed that oral diseases affect about 3.5 billion people worldwide. 

The Basics of Dental Health

You should try to start caring for your mouth and teeth during childhood. Otherwise, you can develop teeth and gum problems later in life, such as cavities and tooth loss. 

You can take various steps to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. Besides brushing and flossing regularly, you can eat healthy snacks. Regular dental checkups are also vital. It’s also wise to avoid smoking and chewing tobacco.

Oral Health and the Body: Is There a Connection?

During the past half-century, the general oral health of residents in New York State has improved. Still, research shows that conditions and diseases of the mouth can directly affect the body’s health. 

7 Common Dental Problems 

The mouth is one of the most crucial body parts since it allows you to breathe, eat, drink, speak, sing, and show emotion. 

Some of the most common oral and dental health issues include: 

1. Tooth decay: Also referred to as dental cavities, tooth decay is the most common dental issue in dental visits. Tooth decay happens when bacteria form a film known as “plaque” on the tooth’s surface. Sugar-sourced acids from food cause permanent damage to tooth layers.
2. Gum disease: Gingivitis, a bacterial infection, is a sign of early-stage gum disease. The infection results from plaque buildup. Gum disease can cause red and swollen gums. 
3. Sensitive teeth: If your teeth’s enamel wears away, hot or cold food and drinks may cause sensitive teeth. The sensation results from nerves deep inside the tooth that causes severe pain. Tooth decay is one cause of sensitive teeth. 
4. Cracked or broken teeth: Injury is a common cause of this condition. If you don’t have a dentist treat this condition, you may develop gum disease. It results from pockets in the gums becoming infected.
5. Bad breath: Halitosis or bad breath is a common dental issue. Several factors can cause bad breath, including poor oral hygiene, acid reflux, and infection. Foods like garlic and onions are another common cause of halitosis.
6. Receding gums: Other dental problems can induce and lead to this condition. A receding gum exposes the tooth’s delicate root, increasing the risk of damage. Bad oral hygiene, brushing teeth too hard, and high blood pressure can cause receding gums.

The condition can also lead to more severe issues, like losing a tooth. This is because receding gums expose the delicate root of the tooth, making it susceptible to damage. 

7. Enamel erosion: This condition develops slowly and causes teeth to look discolored and rounded. The primary cause is sugary or acidic foods and drinks. Enamel erosion causes teeth to become sensitive and weaker. 

Tips to Help Prevent Oral Diseases 

As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” Here are some helpful tips to help lower the risk of dental and oral disease:

• Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste 
• Drink fluoridated water
• Brush teeth twice and floss once daily 
• Tell your dentist if you have a sudden change in the sense of taste and smell 
• Control diabetes if you have it 
• Change your medication if it causes dry mouth 
• Avoid tobacco products
• Minimize alcoholic drinks
• Schedule a dental checkup at least once or twice yearly 

Are you curious to learn more? Read about dentistry that doesn’t stop at oral health.

References 

1. Oral health 

https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral-health#tab=tab_1

2. Oral health tips

https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html