Importance of Oral Hygiene – Oral well-being affects your overall health. Not many people realize this fact but oral health can cause complications to the rest of your body if not taken seriously. Certain diseases like diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and heart diseases can be a cause for severe gum problems.

Importance of Oral Hygiene

How is your oral health connected to your overall health?

The mouth is a place where things enter your respiratory and digestive tracts – two of the most important regions of your body. Yes, your mouth is filled with bacteria but mostly they are harmless. But to prevent any type of harmful microorganism to enter your body the basic oral healthcare must be followed like brushing every day (twice), flossing, keeping your tongue clean, etc. will keep the germs under control.

If you fail to take proper care, then the initial complications which will be faced are tooth decay and gum diseases. Many dentists in South Delhi are skilled to take care and cure these infections.

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay leads to cavities. Your teeth have an outer coating known as enamel. Your mouth produces thin film-like bacteria called dental plaque which settles on your teeth every day. The bacteria from an acid that destroys the enamel and hence leads to cavities. Brushing regularly and flossing your teeth can restrain decay but if you have formed a cavity then consulting a dentist to get it filled is mandatory. 

Fluoride toothpaste works best to protect your teeth from decaying. If you have conditions that make your mouth dry and you are on certain medications, then more fluoride will be helpful. A fluoride treatment is given by a dentist when you visit them, or they will suggest you to use fluoride gel to rinse your mouth at home.

This problem is more prevalent in children because of their eating habits. Many popular Pediatrics dentists in Delhi help to cure this issue.

• Gum Diseases

When a plague starts building in your mouth, under your gum line specifically that’s when gum diseases begin. Mild gum diseases make your gum bleed due to tenderness and redness is formed. This condition is curable through brushing and flossing your teeth every day. It is called gingivitis.

Though severe gum disease can also be faced called periodontitis. This condition is critical and can lead to soreness, bleeding gums, and extreme pains while chewing food. It can even lead to the loss of a tooth.

To prevent such infections, brush your teeth twice with fluoride toothpaste and have a regular dentist appointment to keep your mouth clean. Eating a well-balanced diet can also be helpful. If you are looking for a dentist for this problem, then there are many pediatric dentists Gurgaon who will help you with this.

• Cardiovascular Diseases

Oral health can largely affect your heart and lead to cardiovascular diseases. Bacteria causes gum inflammation which causes periodontal diseases, that same bacteria can enter your bloodstream causing arteries to harden or get blocked. This hardening is called atherosclerosis and it is an extreme condition. It can lead to heart blockages and your blood will not be able to flow properly. This leads to more possibilities of a heart stroke. 

The hypertension build due to the hardening and blockages leads to heart attacks. Endocarditis develops where a lining of the heart gets infected and that leads to fatal consequences. 

• Erectile Dysfunction

Though it might sound a little shocking, a man can face erectile dysfunction if he has poor oral hygiene. Erectile dysfunction is related to chronic periodontal disease. When gums detach from the teeth there are pockets formed, these pockets carry bacteria in them, and that bacteria spread all over the gums and surrounding teeth.

The bacteria can enter the bloodstream through your gums and cause inflammation. The inflammation blocks the flow of blood, especially to your genitals. Because of this, having an erection becomes difficult and sometimes impossible to get. Many orthodontists in Gurgaon are specialized to prevent this type of problem.

Prevention

Different people can go through different oral problems. While some groups may require a dentist’s help for their oral health, rest everyone should follow good oral hygiene. If the teeth are fully damaged then there are dental implant clinics in Gurgaon that will do the implanting process for your teeth.

Below given are some tips which will give you good oral health.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride gel or toothpaste.
• Replace your toothbrush every few months (three to four maximum)
• Visit your dentist once or twice a year for the regular check-up and cleaning of your teeth.
• Floss at least once a day
• Brush your tongue as well to remove the stuck bacteria and that will prevent bad breath
• Use mouth rinses or fluoride treatments

Below are some of the conditions given which if noticed then you shall visit your dentist.

• Red or swollen gums, gums that are bleeding
• Sensitivity when consumed extreme hot or cold
• Difficulty in chewing food
• Continuous bad breath
• A loose tooth
• Continuous toothache
• An abscess

Especially in children, prevention is needed because sugar left on a kid’s teeth can lead to Early Childhood Caries (ECC) which is also called the baby bottle syndrome. Here, your child’s teeth might start to decay due to excess intake of sugar.

Some of the preventive measures are:

• Do not bottle feed at mealtimes
• Do not leave the bottle in the baby’s mouth for too long because the milk and juice will settle on the teeth and sugars will feed the bacteria.
• Before the baby develops actual teeth, make it a habit of wiping their gums regularly with a soft thin cloth like a handkerchief.

This way taking care of your oral hygiene can prevent you from so manly severe conditions and protect your smile. Visit your dentist regularly and always be sure about the health of your teeth.