How tooth decay can affect oral health
What is good oral health:
Everyone wants to have fresh breath, pearly white teeth and a clean pink tongue. All of this though requires a good oral hygiene routine and regular visits to the dentist to ensure that this goal is achieved. Having such a goal is the outcome of good oral health.
Your mouth is one of the most important organs in the body as so much of the body’s health is dependent on what is consumed through the mouth. What takes place in the mouth can have an impact on the rest of the body, in fact, the mouth can be a greater indicator of your body’s general health. Often time, when you are ill some of the symptoms, can show themselves in the mouth. Which is why oral health is so important and cannot be taken for granted.
But, what is oral health?
Oral health is considered to be the habits we maintain in order to ensure that our mouth, gums, teeth and tongue remain healthy.
These are some of the habits necessary:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing often
- Using mouth wash after meals
- Scraping your tongue
- Visiting the dentist every 6 months
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 months
- Maintaining a diet that is low in sugar and acidic drinks
Benefits of good oral health
Good oral health not only ensures that your breath smells fresh and your teeth look clean, but it also prevents tooth decay which can cause serious damage to your teeth. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine ensures that there is no plaque and tartar build up in your mouth preventing bacterial build-up that may cause oral health problems.
No one likes a visit to the dentist – this routine ensures that your gums, teeth, cavities and tongue are healthy and you can avoid the more painful visits to the dentist.
This is because good oral health prevents tooth decay.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar due to consuming foods high in sugar and starches. The food we eat releases acids that attack our tooth’s enamel with the build-up of plaque further exacerbating the situation as more acid attacks our teeth. This is what causes tooth decay. Tooth decay is when the tooth’s enamel becomes soft and slowly begins to disintegrate the tooth making hole in your tooth.
How does tooth decay affect your teeth?
Once the tooth decay becomes prevalent – it breaks down the tooth enamel creating holes in the tooth, the hole is referred to as a cavity. This is one of the more common health problems. It is important to treat these cavities as soon as possible, as when they are left unchecked they break down and spread to the whole tooth and its various layers. The end result is a toothache, and infection and losing your tooth. One of the more severe results is gum disease, the more common gum disease is gingivitis (gum disease) which is the swelling up and reddening of the gums.
These are some of the symptoms:
- Swollen gums
- Gums turning red
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
How to avoid tooth decay and practice good oral health
The best way to avoid tooth decay is to practice good oral hygiene and ensure that you maintain a healthy diet that consists of healthy sugar and limited carbs. This should be supported by consistent oral hygiene practices such as brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing often, using fluoride-based toothpaste, regular visits to the dentist and changing your toothbrush often.
In cases where there is already oral decay has already occurred it is important to visit your dentist to get the necessary professional assistance for treating it.
If you have signs of tooth decay or have any further questions relating to tooth decay and proper treatment, contact us today to book an appointment.
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