“Your mouth is the gateway to the internal organs of your body .”
Oral health is equally important as well being of any other system of the body. Thus it is important to take good care of your oral health.
What refers to good oral health?
In order to know how to maintain good oral hygiene and health, one must first of all be aware of the signs that suggest a healthy mouth.
Here are some checklist points to know whether your mouth is in a good condition –
- Breath- harmful bacteria can change your pleasant breath to a bad smelling one .
If the unpleasant smell doesn’t fade on brushing it suggests some underlying tooth ailment. - Tongue- it must be pink , firm , moist.
any lingering sore on the tongue is also a bad sign. - Gums- must have pink colour and stippling or orange peel appearance must be there.
loss of stippling – suggests inflammation and underlying periodontal disease.
Pale gums- anaemia can be the reason. - Teeth- must be smooth ,clean , no sensitivity present..
- Smile- discoloration is a sign of plaque deposit and poor oral hygiene.
Some drinks , smoking stain teeth,
and change your smile to an unaesthetic one.
What are the ill effects of poor oral health?
Any problem with your oral cavity can serve as the root cause of many serious problems.
Here are some of the serious ailments –
- Dental Caries – teeth with food particles lead to plaque deposit which houses many cariogenic bacteria , worst case scenario can be tooth loss .
- Risk for Heart Disease and Stroke- if not treated properly bacterial sepsis can spread as emboli to the vascular system reaching the heart and attacking your valves.
- Risk of Suffering from Dementia-periodontal diseases release inflammatory substances which can affect brain cells in elderly people.
- Respiratory Condition- bacteria has the potential to travel into your bloodstream and into your lungs where it can have a direct impact on your respiratory system. It puts you at a greater risk of suffering from acute bronchitis or chronic pneumonia
- Risk of Diabetes- though rise in dental ailments can be a checkmark for diabetes, many gum diseases also increase the chances of diabetes.
- Reproductive problems -Infertility problems ,erectile dysfunction ,risk of premature birth.
Childhood diseases
Childhood being a transitional and highly erratic period , makes the oral cavity more prone to contracting dental diseases like-
- Caries
- Malocclusion
- Thumb sucking
- Mouth breathing
- Tongue thrusting
Diseases in adults
- Caries
- Periodontal disease
- Edentulism
- Ulcer
- Cancer
- Staining of teeth
Prevention is the cure
Only following the right tips and taking good care of your mouth can prevent you from any future dental problem.
Here are some tips for oral health –
Brushing
- Brushing twice a day probably half an hour after meal
- Using brush with soft bristles and avoiding the hard one.
- Changing your toothbrush every 3 months.
- Using the right technique, avoid harsh rapid movements , and try moving brush in small round circular motion.
Toothpaste
- Choice of right toothpaste can greatly determine the future of your teeth.
- Avoid toothpaste with high sugar content
- Many incipient caries are reversible if right tooth paste is used.
- Various ions like Fluoride , calcium are released from toothpaste which help in re-establishing the eroded enamel .
- Special toothpastes for patients with tooth sensitivity are recommended.
Floss and tongue care
- Flossing aids in removing the tiny food particles stuck between our teeth.
- It also stimulates the gums .
- It reduces periodontal inflammation.
- Surprisingly flossing delays ageing and can increase your lifespan by 6.5 yrs.
- Tongue can also house plaque and it has to be cleaned properly with brush softly.
- The colour of your tongue is directly interlinked to your systemic health in ayurveda .
Stainless white teeth
- Home remedy – A mixture of oil and salt can also be rubbed over teeth and left for a few minutes.
- Use baking soda paste
- Clean occasionally with hydrogen peroxide.
Mouthwash
- It reduces the amount of acid in the mouth
- cleans hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums
- remineralize the teeth.
Gargle
- Gargling with salt water can help keep a person’s mouth clean
- may alleviate pain and discomfort from sore throats, mouth sores, and dental procedures
Avoid acidic food and beverages
- sugar converts into acid in the mouth, which can then erode the enamel of your teeth.
- These acids are what lead to cavities.
- Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee can also wear down tooth enamel.
Eat more leafy vegetables and fruits
- Crisp fruits and raw vegetables, like apples, carrots and celery, help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.
- Many fruits and vegetables contain lots of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, that help protect gums and other tissues from cell damage and bacterial infection.
- Fibres present in vegetables aid in strengthening the teeth and providing many flavoproteins to our mouth.
Drink more water
- Water continues to be the best beverage for your overall health including oral health .
- Drinking water after every meal can help wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages in between brushing.
Visit your dentist
- Last but not the least, not all portions of the oral cavity are accessible to us visibly.
- It requires help of an expert,
- Try to visit your dentist every 6 months, for regular checkups .
- For more such topics keep visiting our site.
- Any queries or insights are most welcomed in the comments.
