Your mouth teems with bacteria, but you can keep them in check by brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing, avoiding tobacco products, and eating a balanced diet. You can also reduce your risk for oral health problems by getting regular dental visits.
Your oral health is essential because it’s the gateway to your body. Bacteria that are connected to heart disease, diabetes, and other serious illnesses might enter your system as a result of poor dental health.
Tooth Decay
Maintaining proper dental hygiene is essential. This includes brushing and flossing twice daily, eating a balanced diet, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and visiting your experienced family dentist in Manotick – caring for smiles of all ages for regular checkups. This is because poor dental health can contribute to other conditions like heart disease and stroke that can negatively impact your general health.
When germs eat away at the enamel and dentin of your teeth, tooth decay results, which is accelerated by sugary foods and drinks and acid from the mouth, when decay extends to the dentin, it reveals nerve-carrying tubes in the tooth, causing pain when you consume hot or cold food and liquids.
Poor oral health can also negatively impact a person’s quality of life by interfering with the ability to eat, speak, and socialize.
Gum Disease
The mouth is often called “a window to the general health.” It’s more than just about cavities and gum disease. Many systemic diseases—including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer—are associated with oral health issues.
Gum disease increases the risk of significant infections in addition to other cardiovascular disorders, including stroke. Furthermore, gum disease-causing bacteria can infiltrate the circulation and infect other organs, including the lungs.
The best way to prevent gum disease is good oral hygiene. Brush teeth twice daily, especially before bedtime, and floss daily to remove plaque. Use a toothpick to clean between your teeth, especially if you have bridges or partial dentures. Drink fluoridated water, and avoid sugary drinks and tobacco. About every six months, regular professional cleanings (dental hygienists) are also critical. Some people with risk factors for gum disease, such as dry mouth or taking certain medications, may need to be seen more frequently.
Bad Breath
Bad breath (halitosis) is embarrassing, but it’s often an early warning sign of a health problem. Most bad odors are caused by food particles stuck between teeth and around the gums. If these odor-causing foods aren’t removed, they can begin to rot and cause a foul smell. Other causes of halitosis include certain foods, such as onions and garlic, smoking, and several medical problems, including sinusitis and gum disease.
Using mouthwashes, mints, or chewing gum can also help. If the odor persists, talk to your dentist and primary care physician about possible underlying health issues. They can help you find the source of the problem and get it under control.
Depression
Depression is a multifaceted illness that can impair your energy, mood, and capacity for clear thought. While many of the symptoms of depression can be managed through psychotherapy, it’s also essential to focus on your physical health to help moderate your symptoms.
Excellent oral and dental hygiene can prevent cavities, gum disease, bad breath (halitosis), and other issues leading to more severe health concerns, such as heart disease. It’s also critical to schedule routine cleanings and X-rays with your dentist.
The capacity to eat, speak, smile, and express emotions in social situations confidently and without pain or discomfort in the craniofacial region is known as oral health. It helps people reach their most significant potential and is essential to general health. Dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and mouth infections are examples of oral diseases and disorders that can significantly impact one’s quality of life. In addition, malnutrition caused by difficulty chewing and swallowing food due to oral problems can negatively affect overall health.