Healthy Teeth and Dental care are not just important for our oral hygiene but are indispensable to our wellbeing. Poor oral hygiene can trigger dental cavities, gum disease, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Healthy oral practices demand a lifelong commitment. The sooner you learn about healthy oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing, the easier it will be to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health complications.
Dental cavities and gum disease are common across people of all ages, especially in children and the elderly. Between 60% and 90% of school-aged children face at least one dental cavity during their growing years. Gum disease usually affects middle-aged adults, with 15-20% of them suffering from some form of gum disease or another. About 60% of seniors over 65 depend on dentures and have no natural teeth left of their own!
Caring for teeth is as important as caring for your well-being. Teeth health is related to the health of your heart, maintaining sugar levels, and averting cancer. To promote the importance of oral hygiene and safe dental practices, the World Oral Health Day is observed on 20th March worldwide. The theme of the World Oral Health Day (WOHD) campaign for this year is ‘Be Proud of Your Mouth’. This theme inspires change by focusing on oral health’s importance for a longer and healthier life. Let’s discuss the different types of dental diseases in the next section-
Types of Dental Diseases
Over your lifetime, you may have some form of dental concern or the other, which can include-
- Cavities/ Tooth Decay
Cavities (caries or tooth decay) occur when bacteria, food, and acid combine to form a plaque on your teeth. Successively the acid on your teeth begins to erode the enamel, then the connective tissue (underlying dentin). Cavities can be painful and can cause permanent tooth damage.
- Gum disease (gingivitis)
When plaque accumulates on the teeth it may result in gum inflammation or gingivitis. If you experience gum swelling and bleeding while brushing or flossing, it could be a sign of Gingivitis which if left untreated, can advance to more severe periodontitis.
- Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a severe gum infection caused by poor hygiene that damages gums and can destroy the jawbone in severe cases necessitating surgery. Periodontitis can trigger tooth loss and is a risk factor for heart and lung diseases.
- Cracked or Broken teeth
Tooth crack or breakage can result from an injury, chewing hard foods, or night-time teeth grinding. A cracked tooth can be excruciatingly painful, requiring immediate medical attention.
- Sensitive teeth
If you experience pain or discomfort when eating or drinking cold or hot foods or beverages, you may have sensitive teeth. Simultaneously, some people have sensitive teeth because their enamel is thinner. Gum disease, receding gums, a cracked tooth, root canal, worn-down fillings, or crowns are other causes of sensitive teeth.
- Oral cancer
Oral cancers include cancers of the gums, tongue, lips, cheek, and mouth floor. Prolonged tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco, are the leading causes of oral cancer.
Dental Care in Women
Changing hormone levels at different stages of a woman’s life can impact her oral health. Their gums may bleed, especially during pregnancy, when their immune system is more sensitive than usual, resulting in gum inflammation (redness, swelling, and sometimes pain). Brushing and flossing on a regular basis can help to reduce gum irritation and bleeding.
Trigger to Health Problems
- Diabetes- Diabetic symptoms can be intensified by oral health problems, putting them at risk for dry mouth. Thirst is a common indication of undiagnosed diabetes.
- Heart Disease- Bacteria and other germs spread from your mouth to the different parts of the body through the bloodstream. Bacteria from oral infections can attach to any damaged tissue and cause tissue inflammation around the heart doubling the risk of heart disease.
- Eating disorder- Vomiting or purging, as well as eating only small amounts of food, can harm your oral health. Throwing up can cause stomach acids to stain and erode your teeth. If you don’t eat a well-balanced diet, calcium deficiency can cause your teeth and jawbone to become brittle and weak.
Dental Oral Hygiene Care Tips
There are many steps you can take to keep your teeth healthy like-
- Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
- Flossing your teeth at least once a day.
- Limiting sugar intake.
- Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Saying No to tobacco products.
Consulting Dentists on Gigadocs
If you have a toothache, suspect cavities, broken teeth, or any of the teeth disorders discussed above, wait no further. Consult the best dentists over a virtual or an in-clinic appointment with the Gigadocs App.
As a probable treatment, your dentist might tap your teeth or take a dental X-ray of your mouth to assist with a diagnosis. Good oral health involves more than just brushing and flossing. To keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime, don’t delay your dentist consultation with Gigadocs.
Book a Virtual Consultation- Download Gigadocs app from-
- IOS App – apple.co/2W2iG4V
- Android App – bit.ly/33AQoRC
Learn about Virtual Consultation, to schedule a demo, e-mail us at info@gigadocs.com
