Oral Health Problems | Mouth Care Tips | Importance of Oral Hygiene

Importance of Oral Hygiene or Mouth Care in Daily Life:

Regular oral hygiene or mouth care is important to prevent undesirable dental and oral health problems.  Oral hygiene plays in the effective and continued management of oral diseases and fights against tooth decay, gingivitis, as well as the promotion of healthy teeth and gums. Daily Practice of good oral hygiene helps to maintain the lasting durability and function of teeth.

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Poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities, tooth loss, and infected or inflamed gums, all of which hamper the ability to eat healthy foods.  Proper oral hygiene is not only clean teeth and fresh breath but also it is one of the best ways to maintain good overall health.

How to Take Care of Your Mouth?

It is widely accepted that the mouth is a mirror of general health status, and it reflects signs of disease, stress, drug use, addictions, habits, dehydration, and malnutrition.

1. Brushing thoroughly at least twice a day for at least two minutes, using fluoridated toothpaste.
2. Flossing at least once a day to remove plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach.
3. Using a mouthwash will help to kill germs.
4. Eat a healthy diet to provide necessary nutrients (vitamins A and C, in particular) to gum and prevent gum disease.
5. Avoid cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, which leads to gum disease and oral cancer.
6. Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and exams.
7. Use toothpaste and mouthwash products that contain fluoride.
8. Limit sugary foods and drinks.
9. Go to the dentist for regular dental check-ups at least twice a year.
10. Lightly brush and clean the tongue to kill the bacteria in the mouth.
11. Check mouth regularly for sores that irritated gums and don’t heal, or other changes.
12. Brush your teeth with a toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, pointed toward the gum line, and use gentle, small, circular motions.
13. Brush each tooth 10 to 15 times, but don’t overdo it.
14. Take a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and dry cleaning is more effective than using a lot of toothpaste.

Complications Due to Lack of Oral Hygiene or Mouth Care:  

The mouth is a primary entryway into the body; poor oral health can have negative consequences for the entire body. Here are some common and serious health problems caused by bad oral health:

1. Glossitis- Inflammation of the tongue.
2. Gingivitis- Inflammation of the gum.
3. Parotitis – Inflammation of the parotid glands.
4. Otitis media- Inflammation of the middle ear.
5. Gastritis- Inflammation of the stomach.
6. Tonsillitis- Inflammation of the throat and
7. Pneumonia- Inflammation of the lungs.
8. Stomatitis– Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth.
9. Pyorrhea- pus formation in the sockets of teeth.
10. Anorexia- Loss of appetite.
11. Meningitis- Inflammation of the meninges.

How Dental Health Affects Overall Health?

After extensive research and clinical studies has shown that poor oral health affects more than 90% of all systemic diseases, including swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, and excessive gum problems. Such diseases include:

1. Cardiovascular disease,
2. Asthma,
3. Respiratory Diseases,
4. Adverse pregnancy outcomes (pre-term, low-birth-weight babies  or infections of the newborn),
5. Osteoporosis,
6. Rheumatoid arthritis,
7. Diabetes,
8. Leukemia,
9. Oral and pancreatic cancer,
10. Kidney disease,
11. Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Maria Mona

Maria Khatun Mona is a Founder and Editor of Nursing Exercise Blog. She is a Nursing and Midwifery Expert. Currently she is working as a Registered Nurse at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has great passion in writing different articles on Nursing and Midwifery. Mail her at “maria.mona023@gmail.com”