Oral and Dental Health
Author
Asst. Prof. Fatma YuceIstanbul Okan University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Istanbul.
"The first condition for being generally healthy is to attain oral and dental health!"
Everything about oral, and dental health for healthy teeth, and healthy smiles
What problems may arise from neglecting oral health?
Maintaining oral health is highly important for overall body health, and well-being. It is primarily the opening of the digestive system, and is associated with immune, and digestive problems because it affects the entire gastrointestinal system. In addition, being an aesthetic, and functional area in the oro-facial region contributes to the appearance, and image of individuals. Oral hygiene is important for many reasons, both health, and aesthetics. Neglecting oral, and dental health may lead to many problems.
Tooth decay: Inadequate brushing, not using dental floss, or excessive consumption of sugary foods can cause tooth decay. The main reason for tooth decay is; It is the failure to clean sugary, acidic food substances that easily stick to teeth, and gums for a long time [3].
Periodontal diseases: Incomplete, and incorrect oral hygiene practices cause inflammation of the gums surrounding the teeth, and gum recession. Bleeding, redness, and bad odor in the gums are the main indicators of gum disease. Poor oral hygiene causes food residues, and bacteria to combine, and form a sticky layer called bacterial plaque on the teeth. The continuity of poor oral hygiene, especially tartar accumulation, causes the gums, and bone structure to recede. Untreated gum problems cause tooth loss in the final stage [4].
Halitosis: Inadequate tooth brushing or incomplete oral hygiene may cause bad breath. Bad breath may cause discomfort in a person's social life, self-confidence problems, loss, and changes in taste [4].
Sensitive teeth: Using abrasive toothpastes or excessively hard brushing may cause tooth enamel to wear away. Tooth enamel is the outermost, hard, and strong layer that protects the tooth. Deterioration of the enamel structure, and severe wear may cause teeth to become sensitive, and cold-hot sensitivity [5].
Oral cancer: Although the incidence of oral cancer is not very high, it is more common in Third World Countries where hygiene habits, and nutritional deficiencies exist. Because poor oral hygiene increases the risk of developing cancerous cells in the mouth. In addition, the presence of constant pain, and abscessed teeth in the mouth causes the newly developing cancerous structure in the mouth to go unnoticed, and to be diagnosed late [6].
Pregnancy problems: Poor oral health can cause both oral complaints during pregnancy, and pregnancy problems such as premature birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia [7].
Focal infection: Teeth with inflammation at the apex of the tooth cause serious infective conditions, especially in organ transplantation patients, patients with advanced heart defects/operations, and patients undergoing cancer treatment. It is important to clean all infected teeth orally before planned operations [8].
Brush your teeth! But how?
Oral, and dental health in children
Things to consider for babies, and children
Oral, and dental health in adulthood
Oral, and dental health in older ages
In the near future; It is predicted that 20% of the world's population will be over the age of 65. With the increasing number of the elderly population; Nowadays, with the influence of better education, and nutrition opportunities, the duration of teeth remaining in the mouth has increased. Having healthy teeth in the mouth in old age is necessary for a comfortable, and enjoyable old age.
In general, intraoral changes are thought to occur with aging; weakening of the oral tissue, and muscles, decreased sense of taste, darkening of the color of the teeth, recession of the gums, decrease in the amount of saliva, and tooth loss. As we age, the fluidity of saliva decreases along with its amount, resulting in bacterial plaque accumulation on the teeth. Increased bacterial plaque increases the risk of caries, and gum disease. Since the mechanical cleaning, and moisturizing effect of saliva decreases, fungal infections may occur, especially in the mouth, and corners of the lips. Dry mouth reduces the resistance of the oral tissues to impacts, causing frequent mouth sores, mouth burning, decreased sense of taste, and pain. Salt, and sugar consumption may increase in the elderly due to decreased taste sensitivity, and this may lead to the development of systemic diseases. Against these physiological changes, frequent consumption of water to moisten the mouth in the elderly is important to compensate for decreased saliva. Since the oral tissues of the elderly are not resistant to mechanical forces, it is recommended to use toothbrushes with soft bristles., and most importantly, oral hygiene habits established in adulthood will form the basis for a healthy old age [14].
Oral, and dental health in individuals requiring special care
Oral and dental health during pregnancy
Misconceptions about oral and dental health
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