Be Proud of Your Mouth

Be Proud of Your Mouth. In other words, value and take care of it.

It is widely accepted that oral health plays an important role in overall health. Oral health is an essential part of your overall health and well-being. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental cavities and gum disease, and has also been linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. The earlier you learn proper oral hygiene habits — such as brushing, flossing, and limiting your sugar intake — the easier it’ll be to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health issues.

Facts about oral health

Dental cavities and gum disease are very common. According to the World Health Organisation

• between 60 and 90 percent of school children have at least one dental cavity
• nearly 100 percent of adults have at least one dental cavity
• between 15 and 20 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have severe cum disease
• about 30 percent of people around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth left
• in most countries, out of every 100,000 people, there are between 1 and 10 cases of Oral cancer
• the burden of oral disease is much higher in poor or disadvantaged population groups

There are many steps you can take to keep your teeth health. For example, dental and oral disease can be greatly reduced by:

• brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste  at least twice a day
• flossing your teeth at least once a day
• decreasing your intake of sugar
• eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables 
•  avoiding tobacco products
• Drinking fluoridated water
• Seeking professional dental care  

Symptoms of dental and oral problems

You shouldn’t wait until you have symptoms to visit your dentist. Going to the dentist twice a year will usually allow them to catch a problem before you even notice any symptoms.

If you experience any of the following warning signs of dental health issues, you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible:

• Ulcers, sores, or tender areas in the mouth that won’t heal after a week or two
• Bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing
• chronic  bad breath
• sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or beverages
• pain or toothache
• loose teeth
• receding gum
• pain with chewing or biting
• swelling of the face and cheek

If any of these symptoms are accompanied by a high fever and facial or neck swelling, you should seek emergency medical treatment. 

Causes of dental and oral diseases

Your oral cavity collects all sorts of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Some of them belong there, making up the normal flora of your mouth. They’re generally harmless in small quantities. But a diet high in sugar creates conditions in which acid-producing bacteria can flourish. This acid dissolves tooth enamel and causes dental cavities.

Increased inflammation causes your gums to begin to pull away from your teeth. This process creates pockets in which pus may eventually collect.

There are many factors that contribute to it:

• smoking
• poor brushing habits
• frequent snacking on sugary foods and drinks
• Diabetes
• the use of medications that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth
• family history, or genetics
• certain infections, such as HIV or AIDS
• hormonal changes in women
• Acid reflux, or heartburn
• frequent vomiting, due to the acid

Diagnosing dental and oral diseases

Most dental and oral problems can be diagnosed during a dental exam. During an exam, your dentist will closely inspect your:

• teeth 
• mouth
• throat
• tongue
• cheeks
• jaw
• neck

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy

Good oral health boils down to good general health and common sense. The best ways to prevent oral health problems are to:

• brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
• floss at least once a day (one of the most beneficial things you can do to prevent disease in your oral cavity)
• have your teeth cleaned by a dental professional every six months
• avoid tobacco products 
• follow a high fiber, low-fat, low sugar diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables
• limit sugary snacks and drinks

Foods with hidden sugars include:

• condiments such as ketchup and barbecue sauce
• sliced fruit or applesauce in cans or jars that have added sugars
• flavored yogurt
• pasta sauce
• sweetened iced tea
• soda
• sports drinks
• juice or juice blends
• granola and cereal bars
• muffins

Good oral health is especially important to groups such as children, pregnant women, and older adults.

Every year, 20^th March is observed as World Oral Health Day. The theme of this year is “Be Proud of Your Mouth. In other words, value and take care of it.” The theme is sponsored by FDI World Dental Federation, Switzerland. You can find more information about oral health at https://www.worldoralhealthday.org/campaign-theme-2021-2023.

Potter’s Hand wishes a lifelong oral care to our children, women and elders by conducting medical checks at regular periods of time.

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