It’s not often that we think about oral health. Most of us only pay attention to it when someone mentions how bad our breath is or if we’re getting a toothache. However, oral hygiene should be one of your top priorities. This is because neglecting oral health can lead to more costly problems down the line.
For example, the cost of dental implants will increase if a person requires more than one implant due to oral health neglect. A person who is not taking care of their oral hygiene will cost themselves thousands in the future because they are putting off visiting a dentist. Some of the most common dental procedures that could cost a lot include tooth extraction, oral prophylaxis, getting braces, and oral surgery.
Therefore, oral hygiene should be one of the top priorities for anyone who wants good oral health because neglecting oral hygiene will cost more money than visiting a dentist at least once a month for regular checkups. People must prioritize oral hygiene because it is part of achieving good overall health.
Prioritizing Oral Health
Many people tend to neglect their oral health because they think that oral health isn’t a big deal. This, in turn, causes them to have oral problems that could’ve been prevented if people were only diligent in terms of going to the dentist or taking care of their teeth and gums properly. Regular dental visits are essential because it allows dentists to assess your oral conditions. Below are examples of common oral problems that result from neglect:
Tooth decay
Tooth decay is the number one oral problem that could be prevented if people were more careful about their oral health. The bacteria in your mouth cause tooth decay, and it occurs when you consume food or drinks containing sugar. Usually, beverages like soda, sports drinks, juices, milk, and even natural fruit juice contain a lot of sugar. Sugar damages teeth because it increases the number of oral bacteria present in the mouth.
This oral problem has different degrees and could start out as a small dark spot on your teeth, but it can eventually lead to severe tooth decay if left untreated. Tooth decay is not only a painful oral issue, but it can also lead to tooth infections. To fix this oral problem, you need to see your dentist and get them to examine the area of your mouth that is affected by the decay.
Gum disease
This is caused by plaque and tartar, which are composed of bacteria as well as food particles that remain in-between teeth or on surfaces where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. You need to pay attention to dental care because gum diseases could eventually lead to tooth loss. To fix this oral problem, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible and schedule a visit for a thorough oral examination where they will clean plaque from the gum line before it turns into tartar that cannot be removed by brushing alone.
Mouth cancer
Mouth cancer is a type of oral cancer that starts in a part of the oral cavity. The most common form of oral cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma, which can develop from pre-cancerous lesions or changes to your lips and inside your mouth. To avoid this oral problem, it’s important to go for regular dental checkups where you can have oral cancer screenings done to check for any signs of oral cancer.
Focusing on Oral Health
Below are tips on how people can achieve better oral health outcomes:
Brush your teeth regularly
Brushing your teeth is one of the most important oral health habits that everyone should have. According to oral hygiene experts, people need to brush their teeth at least twice a day, including after every meal or snack. This way, you can remove food particles and other oral debris that may get stuck between your teeth. You should also use a soft-bristle toothbrush with rounded ends to avoid damaging the enamel while brushing.
Floss daily
Dental floss can be used as an effective tool for removing food particles and other debris from between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Dental floss works by sliding the thread between your teeth to dislodge food debris and oral plaque, which you can then remove with a thorough brushing afterward. Flossing daily will help prevent periodontal disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and other oral health issues that may affect your oral hygiene and your overall health.
Avoiding sugary food and beverages
You should also avoid sugary food and beverages because these contribute to oral health problems such as tooth decay. Not only will the sugar cause oral bacteria to release acids that attack your teeth, but it can also lead to dry mouth, which is a breeding ground for harmful oral microbes.
Visit your dentist regularly
People should also make a habit out of visiting their dentist regularly. The dentist will keep an oral health record for you and provide routine oral screenings to make sure nothing is wrong with your mouth.
Keeping up on oral hygiene can be difficult, but it’s worth the effort when you consider all the benefits that good oral health brings! Not only does a healthy set of teeth look great, but it can also improve your overall health. Therefore, people should not neglect their oral health at all costs.
