How Important is Oral Hygiene? What is Oral Hygiene?
How Important is Oral Hygiene?
According to the World Health Organization, nearly an estimated 3.7 billion people are affected by oral diseases.
Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping your mouth clean and disease free. Brushing and flossing your teeth while also visiting your dentist every 6 months plays a vital role in preventing oral health problems such as cavities, gum disease, bad breath and other issues.
Oral health is also linked to your whole-body health. For instance, if you have an infection in your mouth it may carry the bacteria into your bloodstream to other areas in your body which may lead to other health issues such as heart disease and stroke.
Studies have shown that gingivitis and periodontitis may contribute to cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, stroke, endocarditis (infection of your heart’s lining) pregnancy complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
There are many factors that may contribute to gingivitis and periodontitis including family history or genetics, hormonal changes in women, alcohol abuse, smoking, poor brushing habits, frequent snacking on sugary foods and drinks, acid reflux or heartburn, medications that may reduce the amount saliva in the mouth, frequent vomiting due to the acid and certain infections.
There are certain health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/Aids, diabetes, and osteoporosis that may have a negative impact on your teeth and gums.
Oral cancer includes cancer of the lip, other parts of the mouth and the oropharynx (which includes the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, tonsils, and the back one-third of the tongue) are ranked as the 13th most common cancer worldwide.
Tobacco, alcohol and Areca nut use, are among the leading causes of oral cancer. In North America and Europe, HPV (human papillomavirus) infections are responsible for a growing percentage of oral cancers among young people.
Oral diseases disproportionately affect the poor and socially disadvantaged members of society. There is a strong association of socioeconomic status which means income, occupation and education level and the prevalence and severity of oral diseases. Access to oral health care services should be available to all people worldwide.
If you are experiencing bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, gum recession, toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, frequent dry mouth, swelling of the jaw, loose teeth, pain with chewing or biting, mouth sores that won’t go away or an infection of the mouth then you should see your dentist as soon as possible. These are warning signs of poor oral hygiene.
As always consult with your physician.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16914-oral-hygiene
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/oropharynx
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/oropharyngeal-cancer