How familiar are you with the benefits of good oral hygiene? That good oral hygiene is essential for the health of teeth and gums is just one of the many benefits of maintaining a clean mouth. Yet, a dental health poll carried out in Britain reveals that 26 per cent of adults admit to brushing their teeth only once a day.
This is a concern considering how many adults skip their biannual check-ups at the dentist St John’s Wood. These teeth and gum checks are crucial for identifying problems that can easily be treated to avoid major dental issues later on.
Preventive dental care has been found to be highly effective in improving dental health in order to retain the life-long benefits of having natural teeth and to avoid the pain and discomfort that can be a result of dental issues.
Not enough adults think about their dental health until they experience worrying symptoms. A visit to a dental clinic is only prompted when dental pain or discomfort is experienced, yet good dental health is a prerequisite for overall health and wellbeing.
What are the dangers of poor oral hygiene?
The first danger of poor oral hygiene dental practitioners are concerned about is the progression of dental decay and gum disease. These two dreaded dental diseases have far-reaching consequences for oral health and physical wellbeing.
Poor oral hygiene leads to tooth loss which can affect the effectiveness of the masticatory function. The grinding down of food into easily-digestible pieces requires a full set of properly aligned teeth. With one or two important types of teeth missing, biting and chewing can be problematic and painful.
Not being able to bite and chew properly can mean poor absorption of essential vitamins and minerals or the avoidance of eating altogether. Both these states of affairs raise the risk of malnutrition which can have potentially serious outcomes.
Another way good oral hygiene protects the body is by keeping the heart and lungs healthy and happy. Medical research has provided evidence of bad bacteria known to cause tooth loss and gum disease as far deep in the body as the heart and lungs.
People suffering from advanced stages of these diseases are now known to be at higher risk of medical complications such as heart attacks and strokes and inflammatory lung conditions including pneumonia and bronchitis.
Another threat that looms large when good oral hygiene is lost is the loss of a pleasing smile. When you lose the ability to smile a wider smile there is a resultant drop in confidence. Healthy confidence levels are necessary for mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Consider how difficult it would be to find the confidence to attend job interviews or enjoy social occasions or enter a romantic relationship without a lovely smile.
Enjoying good oral health is not a difficult task, but it does mean you need to be proactive and consistent in your oral hygiene maintenance efforts. On the list of pro-dental habits, the NHS includes brushing teeth twice a day preferably with a fluoride-based toothpaste, flossing, reducing sugar consumption in the daily diet and attending regular professional dental check-ups.