According to Healthline (2021), Dental and oral health is an essential part of your overall health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, and has also been linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
How do you look after your oral health?
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. The earlier you learn proper oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and limiting your sugar intake — the easier it’ll be to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues.
To protect your oral health, practice good oral hygiene daily (mayoclinic.org, 2022):
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily.
- Use mouthwash to remove food particles left after brushing and flossing.
- Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
- Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if bristles are splayed or worn.
- Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings.
- Avoid tobacco use.
Symptoms of dental or oral problems:
You shouldn’t wait until you have symptoms to visit your dentist. Going to the dentist twice a year will usually allow them to catch a problem before you even notice any symptoms.
If you experience any of the following warning signs of dental health issues, you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible:
- ulcers, sores, or tender areas in the mouth that won’t heal after a week or two;
- bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing;
- chronic bad breath;
- sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or beverages;
- pain or toothache;
- loose teeth;
- receding gums;
- pain with chewing or biting;
- swelling of the face and cheek;
- clicking of the jaw;
- cracked or broken teeth;
- frequent dry mouth;
Causes of dental or oral diseases include but are not limited to:
- smoking;
- poor brushing habits;
- frequent snacking on sugary foods and drinks;
- diabetes;
- the use of medications that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth;
- family history, or genetics;
- certain infections, such as HIV or AIDS;
- hormonal changes in women;
- acid reflux, or heartburn;
- frequent vomiting, due to the acid;
Types of dental and oral diseases:
- CAVITIES: Otherwise known as tooth decay. These are areas of the tooth that have been permanently damaged and may even have holes in them.
- GUM DISEASE (GINGIVITIS): Inflammation of the gums. This is usually a result of plaque build up on your teeth due to poor brushing and flossing habits. Untreated gingivitis can lead to more serious infections.
- PERIODONITIS: This can also spread to your jaw and bones and cause an inflammatory response throughout the body.
- CRACKED OR BROKEN TEETH: This can be caused by an injury to the mouth, chewing hard foods or grinding your teeth at night.
- SENSITIVE TEETH: This may cause you to feel discomfort after having cold or hot foods or beverages.
- ORAL CANCER: This includes cancer of the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, floor of mouth, hard or soft pallet.
View the following Australian Dental Association videos in light of World Oral Health Day (20th March), to help look after your oral health – https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Oral-Health-Video-Resources