Dental health — Good for Lifestyle
Many of us realize that diet and exercise play a necessary part in keeping us healthy. But did you know that a healthy oral cavity is also an important part of a healthy body?
Poor oral health could affect a person's quality of life. Oral pain, missing teeth or oral infections can influence just how a person speaks, feeds on and socializes. These dental health problems can reduce a person's standard of living by affecting their physical, mental and social well-being.
Oral disease, like any other disease, needs to be cured. A chronic infection, including one in the oral cavity, is a critical problem that should not be disregarded. Yet bleeding or sensitive gums are often not considered.
Research has shown there is an association between oral disease and other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, respiratory illness in more mature adults, as well as pre-term and low-birth-weight babies. Although researchers are just beginning to understand this relationship, evidence shows that oral disease can irritate other health problems and this keeping a healthy mouth is a vital part of leading a wholesome life.
The health of the teeth, the mouth, and the surrounding craniofacial (skull and face) constructions is core to a person’s general health and health. Oral and craniofacial diseases and conditions include:
Dental caries (tooth decay)
Periodontal (gum) diseases
Cleft lip and taste
Oral and facial pain
Oral and pharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers
Xerostomia (dry mouth)
The substantial improvement in the dental health of Americans within the last 50 years is a public health success story. The majority of the gains are a result of effective prevention and treatment initiatives. One major success is community water fluoridation, which now benefits several out of 10 People in America who get water through public water systems.
However, some Americans do not have access to preventive programs. People who have the least access to precautionary services and dental treatment have greater rates of mouth diseases. A person’s ability to access oral health care is associated with factors such as coaching level, income, race, and ethnicity.
Objectives in this topic area address several areas for public health improvement, like the need to:
Increase awareness of the significance of oral health to overall health and well-being
Increase acceptance and adoption of effective precautionary interventions
Reduce disparities in access to effective preventative and dental treatment services
Why Is Oral Well being Important?
Teeth's health is essential to overall health. Very good oral health enhances a person’s ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions to show thoughts and emotions.
However, oral diseases, from cavities to oral malignancy, cause important pain and disability for many Americans.
5 Steps to a Healthy Oral cavity
1. Keep your mouth clean
Employ a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Wait at least 20–30 minutes after you eat before brushing your teeth.
Floss every day. Soon after flossing, roll it up in a little ball and put it in the garbage. Never flush floss their teeth down the toilet.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Are often the foods and beverages that contain sugar or carbohydrates.
Ideal snack foods: cheese, nut products, vegetables, and non-acidic fruits.
Look for oral care products with the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) Seal.
2. Look for signs of bubble gum disease:
Red, shiny, fluffy, sore or sensitive gums
Bleeding when you clean or floss
Halitosis that won't go away
Appearance for indications of oral malignancy:
Bleeding or open sores that don't heal
White-colored or red patches
Numbness or tingling
Small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the ground or roof of orally, the inside of your cheeks, or on your gumline
3. Eat well
Very good nutrition helps build strong teeth and gums.
Snack on mouth-healthy snacks like cheeses, nuts, vegetables, and non-acidic fruits.
4. Discover your dentist regularly
48% of Canadians who have not seen a dentist in the past year have gingivitis. Regular dental tests and professional cleanings are the best way to prevent and identify problems before they get worse.
5. Don't smoke or chew cigarettes
Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause oral cancer, heart disease, gum disease, and a variety of other cancers.
Find a Dental practitioner
Don't wait for a toothache or a dental emergency to look for a dentist. Inquire for tips from friends, family, neighbors, or co-office workers. If you're moving, ask if your current dental professional can refer you to a dentist in your new area.
