Dental Hygiene Importance

If you haven’t figured out enough reasons to take good care of your mouth, teeth and gums, the relationship between your oral health and your overall health provides even more, because choosing to practice a good oral hygiene equates to making an investment in your overall

We encourage you to take care of your oral health, no matter how busy you are. The best way to start is to get back to the basics and integrate these four simple habits into your

While regular cleanings protect your mouth, you also want to maintain good daily oral hygiene. Reduce bacteria, plaque, gum inflammation, cavities and decay when you:

Periodontal disease is characterised by inflammation of tissues surrounding the teeth, damage to the supporting structures of teeth and the creation of pockets prone to bacterial infection (AIHW, 2015; Gehrig & Willmann, 2016). Periodontal disease is comprised of two main diagnostic categories: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is characterised by inflammation, redness, oedema, and bleeding upon probing (Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, 2009; Gehrig & Willmann, 2016). Chronic untreated gingivitis can often lead to periodontitis (Gehrig & Willmann, 2016; Van der Weijden & Slot, 2015), which presents as a loss of attachment between the supporting structures of the teeth such as bones, gums and ligaments. The greatest contributing factor to periodontal disease is the chronic build up of plaque - a sticky film that adheres to the teeth, which is composed of microorganisms, microbial waste products and food debris (Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, 2009). Regular and effective oral hygiene practices such as frequent tooth brushing (Zimmermann et al., 2015), using a manual or power toothbrush (Van der Weijden & Slot, 2015) and interdental cleaning (Crocombe, Brennan, Slade, &

Oral health care is the most prevalent unmet health need among children. Tooth decay accounts for the majority of missed school days for children. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood; an estimated 50% to 80% of children will develop detectable dental caries by late adolescence. Poor oral health has a direct effect on a child's school performance. “One study documented a significant loss of school time due to poor oral health among females, Hispanic students, and those with lower income or no health insurance” (Berg & Coniglio, 2006). Effective strategies in the area of prevention and intervention are needed to strengthen efforts to improve young children’s quality of life. In recognizing the need for prevention and intervention strategies, it is even more crucial to identify and to focus on the barriers that impact the successful eradication of early childhood caries; thus, those barriers which impact the quality of life for young children.

Preventative dentistry services ensure good oral health, and can catch any potential issues before they escalate. To stave off dental issues, you should visit the dentist at least twice a year. Here are a few preventative dentistry services that will secure your smile’s health:

It important to have good dental health, brushing and flossing daily leads to a happy, healthy mouth. However, many people do not realize unhealthy teeth covered in plaque can possibly contribute to issues that affect the rest of the body such as cancer. There is a link between the health of a person’s mouth and the condition of their body.

As children growing up in Boston, there was one word that always stuck in our minds when it came to dental health: "cavities." We were always warned to brush and floss twice a day, or else we'd develop the dreaded "cavities," and the dentist would have to drill our teeth-- an idea that's terrifying to a young mind.

But the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2012 reported that there has been reverse trend after 1990. Although small, a significant increase has been observed3. According to the data and statistics, it can be inferred that there exists many disparities in oral health and particularly caries. Disparities by family income shows striking features. Children of low income group suffers from cavities more when compared to peers of other income groups. Social factors like race, ethnicity, age, sex also show disparities in prevalence of caries. Also, people without insurance coverage have more oral problems when compared to people with insurance or

Teachers and parents in the United States and the world are not taking this preventable, chronic disease seriously enough. Doctors Bagramian, Garcia-Godoy, and Volpe found that “International research conferences convened over the past 25 years proudly reported that dental caries prevalence was declining on a global basis. However, during the past decade, the situation has reversed and scientific report after report signal an alarming increase in the global prevalence of dental caries in children and adults, primary and permanent teeth (2009).” Several countries including China fluoridate their water supply in efforts to decrease dental decay, much like the United States. The article also alludes to several recent summits where dental professionals from around the world met to discuss the growing prevalence of dental caries and planned efforts to reverse the trend. These meetings are important in creating a greater awareness on oral disease and the importance of prevention, but prevention starts at a young age. Teachers, daycare providers, parents, and others who have direct contact with children are the best individuals for dental professionals in which to

Cavities are a fact of life that almost everyone has to deal with. It’s estimated that about 91 percent or more of Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 have had cavities. That’s a huge percentage of the country, and the scariest part for me is that many of those people do not have access to the latest filling materials and restorative treatment method.

As society continues to age, the lack of dental care is becoming an increasingly critical issue, given the evidence that dental health is intertwined with overall health. It is expected that 21% of the U.S population will be 65 years or older by the year 2040, thanks to the influx of baby boomers (Stein, Aalboe, 2015). Due to this rapid growth in longevity, the problem of access to care will be magnified. More older adults are aging with their natural teeth compared to previous generations. For this reason, an increased awareness about the lack of dental care in our health care system has become a concern. Evidence links oral health to systemic health (Foltyn, 2015). Indeed, it is “currently recognized that oral diseases are a worldwide

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, think before you eat and drink. It's what you eat as well as when you choose to eat it that can influence your dental wellbeing. Scientific and epidemiological data demonstrate a lifelong synergy between nutrition and the integrity of the oral cavity in health and disease. Have a well-adjusted eating regimen and limit your snacks between your meals. Having poor nutrition habits affects your whole immune system and increases your chances of acquiring certain dental problems. If your immune system is low, studies show that you are at a higher danger for periodontal diseases. “Dental caries and periodontal disease are the most prevalent chronic, common, and transmissible infectious oral conditions in humans.”

Oral health is an important determinant of general health and quality of life. Oral health can affect people physically and psychologically. It can have adverse effects on growth, ability to taste food, eating habits, sleep, self-esteem, socialisation and enjoyment of life. Oral diseases have also been found to influence other chronic diseases due to common behavioural and biological pathways

Preventative dental care helps prevent dental problems from occurring later on down the road. Gum disease and tooth decay can cause serious damage to the teeth if they are not treated. Gum disease can also lead to tooth loss.