Facts About Dental And Oral Health

May 26, 2020

Your dental and oral health is extremely important. Not only will it affect the appearance of your smile, but it will also impact the function of your teeth and how long you can retain them. Many people are also surprised to learn that dental health can also impact on your overall well being. This is because our mouth contains blood vessels that link to the rest of the body, meaning that any infections that develop in your mouth could spread to other areas including our major organs.

It is never too late to learn a little more about dental and oral health, so here are a few important facts to get you started.

Dental decay is most often caused by excessive sugar consumption

Sugar is the biggest contributor towards dental decay and consuming free sugars more than four times per day can lead to an increased risk of experiencing dental caries. The World Health Organization recommends that the daily intake of free sugars is limited to less than 10% of total energy intake for adults and children alike.

Excessive sugars are also bad or your general health

Not only is consuming excessive sugar bad for your dental health, but it could also affect your general well being. Studies show that drinking sugary drinks regularly could increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 22%. It can also cause weight gain and increase your risk of periodontal disease, heart disease, and cancer.

Periodontal disease is extremely common

Periodontal disease, also known as dental or oral disease, is one of the most common dental conditions in the world with an estimated 3.9 billion people affected. It occurs when plaque that has built up on the teeth spreads onto the gums, causing irritation, soreness, and eventually leading to serious problems including infection, gum recession, and tooth loss.

Periodontal disease could contribute towards the development of other health conditions

Studies have found that patients with advanced periodontal disease could be more likely to go on to develop other chronic general health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and more. Preventing periodontal disease could significantly reduce your risk of experiencing these conditions.

Some lifestyle factors increase your risk of developing periodontal disease

Patients who have a largely unhealthy diet that is rich in sugars, drink excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis, smoking, and poor oral hygiene significantly increase your risk of developing periodontal disease.

Brushing twice a day is the best way to keep decay and periodontal disease away

Dentists agree that brushing your teeth properly, for at least two minutes twice per day really is the best way to remove plaque from your teeth which in turn will significantly reduce your risk of developing decay, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems. You should also remember to floss daily to remove bacteria from between your teeth.

Persistent bad breath could be a sign of an underlying dental or oral health problem

Everyone suffers from temporary bad breath from time to time. However, if yours is a persistent problem, it is highly likely that a dental condition is to blame. You may find that brushing your teeth and using mouthwash is helpful for a short time, but it tends to mask the symptom rather than treat the cause. Arrange an appointment with your dentist to discuss getting to the bottom of your bad breath.

Dental check-ups should include screening for oral cancer

Cancer can affect any part of our bodies including our mouths. An estimated 53,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Unfortunately, many cases of oral cancer are detected quite late, meaning that the chance of successful treatment is significantly reduced. Attending regular check-ups, which should now also include screening for oral cancer, will help to detect any signs of oral cancer early, enabling prompt treatment and a better outcome.

 

For more information or facts about dental and oral health, please speak to our expert team today.