Oral health encompasses not just the teeth, but the whole mouth, including the head, face, and oral cavity. It plays a vital role in our daily functions—allowing us to speak, smile, eat, and express ourselves without pain or discomfort. Beyond aesthetics, oral health is closely tied to overall well-being and quality of life.

Why Oral Health Matters?

Maintaining a healthy mouth helps prevent various conditions that affect personal relationships, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Untreated oral diseases can lead to serious consequences, from sleep disruptions and social isolation to significant health complications such as infections and chronic pain. This impact on health and daily life emphasises the importance of regular oral care practices like brushing, flossing, and routine dental checkups.

Also Read - Why Maintaining Oral Hygiene Is Essential?

Common Risks to Oral Health

Several factors increase the risk of oral diseases:

• Poor oral hygiene: Inconsistent or improper brushing and flossing habits contribute to plaque buildup, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.

• High sugar intake: Diets high in sugar promote cavities and tooth decay, with children and lower-income individuals especially affected.

• Tobacco and alcohol: Smoking and alcohol consumption are major contributors to gum disease and oral cancer.

• Other health conditions: Diseases like diabetes heighten the risk of gum disease, showing how interconnected oral and systemic health are.

Oral diseases are widespread, affecting nearly 3.5 billion people globally. Dental cavities are the most common health condition, affecting 2.3 billion people worldwide. Gum disease affects about half of the global population, while severe cases can lead to tooth loss, impacting around 10% of people globally. Oral cancer, cleft palate, and noma are other serious conditions that demand attention and awareness.

Fascinating Facts About Oral and Dental Health

• Tooth Anatomy: Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and every person's toothprint is unique, much like fingerprints.

• Oral Hygiene Practices: The average American spends 38.5 days brushing their teeth over a lifetime. Flossing daily removes up to 40% of the plaque that brushing misses.

• Connection to Overall Health: People with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, highlighting the broader health impact of oral hygiene.

• Historical Tidbits: The first toothbrush was invented in China, using boar bristles, and George Washington’s dentures were made from a mix of gold, ivory, and other materials, not wood, as commonly thought.

• Bacterial Ecosystem: Your mouth hosts over 700 types of bacteria, and good oral hygiene helps control this population to prevent bad breath and decay.

Quick Tips for Maintaining Oral Health

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss regularly to clean areas between teeth.
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks.
• Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol.
• Visit your dentist at least once a year for cleanings and checkups.
  

Also Read - 10 Best Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Taking care of your oral health not only brightens your smile but also supports your general health, reducing the risk of systemic diseases and helping maintain your overall quality of life. Purexa offers a gamut of oral hygiene products that align with your oral health goals. Head over to our website today and shop for a brighter smile!

Written by Dr. Shipra Jaiswal, BDS, MDS, a Periodontist and Gums Specialist