When we talk about oral health, we are talking about a vital health issue that not only affects our daily lives, but also has a significant impact on our overall health. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the importance of oral health and how to maintain oral health and prevent oral diseases.
First, let's understand what oral health is. Oral health refers to the coordination of all parts of the mouth and the tissues and organs of the whole body, which is presented as a good bite, pronunciation, chewing and swallowing function, and a neat and beautiful appearance. A healthy mouthful of teeth and oral soft tissues, including the tongue and oral mucosa, is a key factor in maintaining the quality of our daily lives and overall health.
Oral health has a significant impact on our quality of life. For example, painful or missing teeth can make it difficult to chew and digest food, affecting our nutrient intake. In addition, oral diseases can lead to other systemic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and premature birth.
So, how to maintain oral health? Here are some practical suggestions:
Effective brushing: Brush your teeth at least twice a day for more than two minutes each time. With fluoride toothpaste, it strengthens the acid-resistant teeth and prevents tooth decay.
Use dental floss or interdental brush: Clean adjacent surfaces of teeth to prevent plaque and gum disease.
Regular gargling: Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or mouthwash removes food debris and bacteria from your mouth.
Visit your dentist regularly: Have an oral examination and cleaning at least once a year to detect and treat oral problems early.
Eat a balanced diet: Consume enough vitamins, minerals, and calcium to maintain oral and systemic health.
In addition to the above recommendations, we also need to know about some common oral diseases and how to prevent them. For example:
Caries: Tooth decay caused by bacteria in plaque. Prevention methods include brushing teeth effectively, flossing, gargling regularly, and eating a balanced diet.
Periodontal disease: includes periodontitis and other gum diseases, which are infections and inflammations of the gums and skeletal system caused by plaque. Prevention methods include effective brushing, flossing, regular gargling, and regular deep cleaning.
Oral cancer: including lip cancer, oral cancer and pharyngeal cancer. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and long-term UV exposure are all risk factors for oral cancer. It is recommended to avoid these risk factors and watch for any abnormal changes in the mouth.
Bad breath: May be caused by poor oral hygiene, food residues, periodontal disease, etc. Prevention methods include effective brushing, flossing and gargling, and regular visits to the dentist.
In conclusion, oral health is essential for the quality of our daily lives and our overall health. By maintaining oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet, and regular check-ups, we can prevent most oral diseases. If we find ourselves or others have any oral problems, we should seek professional medical advice as soon as possible. By working together, we can maintain our own oral health and that of others and improve the quality of life.
Bibliography:
American Dental Association. (2021). Oral Health Topics: Oral Health Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: https://www.ada.org/en/publications/oral-health-topics/oral-health-fact-sheet
World Health Organization. (2021). Oral Health. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral_health#tab=tab_2