Oral health is when you are free from any form of mouth pain, tooth loss, oral infection, gum disease and all the other diseases that have the capability of hindering one’s ability to speak, smile, chew or even bite. Some key oral health facts according to the World Health Organization;
• 60-90% of all school children worldwide and nearly 100% of adults all have dental cavities
• Severe gum diseases that lead to tooth loss are found in 15-20% of middle-aged adults
• 30% of people who are between 65 and 74 have no natural teeth
The major causes of these conditions are very harmful intake of alcohol, unhealthy diet, poor oral hygiene excessive tobacco use, and many other determinates. It is also a key fact from WHO that bad oral health is most common among children and adults who are poor or disadvantaged. There are a lot of ways to maintain good oral health and prevent cavities but below are 4 of them;
1. Maintain a constant level of fluoride in the oral cavity
The presence of Fluoride is necessary for the oral cavity because it stops demineralization which causes cavities. But when there is a constant intake of products that can help boost the presence of fluoride (which causes remineralization), this strengthens the teeth and the enamels start getting resistant, which prevents the decay process. Constantly taking fluoridated drinking water, fluoridated mouth rinse, salt, toothpaste, and milk can help build the fluoride level.
2. Ensure Proper Oral Hygiene
The most common way to ensure proper oral hygiene is by brushing regularly and as recommended by your dentist. But in truth, if you can’t brush as frequently as some dentists say, you can try to brush at least twice every day. If you can, then try brushing after every meal. There are manually operated toothbrushes and electronic toothbrushes, but choices vary based on personal preferences. Reviews can be checked on the best manually operated toothbrushes and best electronic toothbrushes, to help with our decisions. As it is not always easy for people to keep track of their brushing habits, there are electronic brushes that come with the added functionality of keeping track of our brushing habits. What we put into our mouths have the most effect, coffee and tobacco, for instance, are known to stain the teeth; so proper care is necessary to reduce or even prevent these stains.
If oral hygiene is neglected, the risk of sugar bugs will be prevalent. Sugar bugs, also known as dental caries or cavities, are a common problem when bacteria in the mouth consume sugar and other carbohydrates, producing acid that attacks the tooth enamel. This can lead to the development of small holes or cavities in the teeth.
Keep in mind that when sugar bugs are not treated accordingly, they can lead to more serious problems, such as tooth loss, abscesses, and infections. To treat sugar bugs, a dentist will typically clean the affected area and fill the cavity with a unique filling material. However, a root canal or tooth extraction may be necessary in more severe cases.
Sugar bugs are a common and preventable dental problem that you can avoid by maintaining good oral hygiene and eating a nutritious diet. If you are concerned about sugar bugs or have other dental health concerns, it’s essential to visit a dentist for a check-up and treatment as needed.
3. Increase intake of fruits and vegetables
Regular intake of fruits and vegetables helps provide our system with nutrients that are necessary for healthy teeth and oral health. Calcium helps make not only our bones but our teeth stronger and Vitamin D helps our body get the necessary amount of calcium that is needed. So, in whatever you do, for healthy teeth/gum, for improved dental and oral health; fruits and vegetables are necessary. Sugar, alcohol, and tobacco should be cut down because apart from discoloring of the teeth, they can cause tooth decay, tooth loss, oral decay, gum disease, and many more.
It’s worth noting that fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that help keep teeth and gums healthy. They also contain fiber, which can help clean the teeth and stimulate saliva production. Remember that saliva is a natural mouth rinse that helps to neutralize the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
4. Always wear protective gear
It is always advisable to use protective gear if you are involved in any kind of sporting activity to help reduce facial injuries that may harm the teeth. Also when in an environment that is somewhat unsafe such as factories, we should ensure we have the appropriate protective facial gear.
With strict adherence to these practices listed above, dental and oral health will be improved. But it is also much advised to visit a dentist regularly for check-ups and other professional tips