Oral health affects the general condition of the body, since this is exactly the place where the food consumed by a person begins. Also, many people know how unpleasant, and sometimes painful, toothache is, which directly affects the mood and mental state of a person. In addition, with problems with teeth, such simple actions as biting and chewing are difficult, and in addition, in some cases, there may be problems with the throat due to the fact that the health of the oral cavity is impaired.
Facts
- Between 60% and 90% of schoolchildren have such a problem as dental caries. And among adults, it is found in almost 100%.
- One of the components of the prevention of caries is a decrease in the amount of fluoride in the oral cavity.
- 15-20% of people who have reached middle age suffer from a problem with gums, namely a disease such as severe periodontitis, due to which teeth can fall out.
- A third of all people over 65 have no teeth.
- According to statistics, diseases associated with teeth and gums are most often found in poorer segments of the population.
- The main causes that can disrupt oral health are unhealthy diets, tobacco, neglect of hygiene, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Caries
Almost every adult has a history of dental caries. It is also the most common problem that patients turn to dentists. Caries is the destruction of enamel and entails damage to hard tissues. If you do not start taking measures in time and do not carry out preventive procedures, then the disease can significantly aggravate the problem, in especially bad cases leading to tooth loss.
The cause of tooth decay is bacteria, which are huge in the human mouth. Irregular brushing, reduced immunity, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract provide even more active reproduction of bacteria.
Notice the appearance of caries is quite simple, since significant changes in the appearance of the tooth occur. At the very initial stage of the disease, a dark spot appears on the surface of the tooth. With a more advanced stage, it penetrates deeper, forming a carious cavity. Deep caries penetrates the dentin, bringing with it complications.
Periodontitis
This is a disease of the gums and tissues that surround the tooth and ensure its fixation. The main cause of periodontitis is plaque, which after a while becomes harder, forming tartar. Also, this disease may appear due to a lack of vitamins, and in particular calcium.
Caring for oral health is exactly what helps you prevent most problems with your teeth and gums. If it was not possible to avoid the occurrence of periodontitis, then its treatment must begin with the elimination of plaque and stone. Further, after thorough cleaning, it will most likely be necessary to take anti-inflammatory drugs. If the case is completely neglected and there is a deepening of the periodontal pocket, then you will have to resort to surgical intervention.
Oral cancer
This disease is a malignancy that appears most often on the lower lip, affecting the oral cavity, the back of the pharynx, salivary glands and tonsils. Oral cancer is more common in men than in women, in addition, it is common in people over 40 years of age. The main reason for its appearance is active smoking and alcohol abuse. It is extremely important to begin treatment when detecting the first symptoms, since this disease often leads to death.
It is not difficult to recognize cancer of the oral cavity, since a bleeding wound forms on the lip, gum or mucosa, a certain part of the mouth can become numb, sensitivity decreases, the voice changes, the jaw swells, cause pain, cause swallowing and chewing food becomes more difficult, white or red appear spots. Oral health in many cases depends on the presence of bad habits in humans. So smoking and chewing tobacco greatly increase the likelihood of oral cancer and many other diseases.
Cleft lip and cleft palate
These diseases are congenital, as they develop in the early stages of pregnancy. They occur due to deformation in case of lack of tissue in the mouth and improper connection. The cleft lip is a gap in the region of the upper lip. The cleft palate is a cleft in the palate that forms between the bone and soft tissue.
It is difficult to say the exact cause of these diseases. Most likely, a cleft appears due to the influence of environmental factors and genetics. It is unlikely that somehow its occurrence can be prevented, especially if this anomaly can be traced from one of the relatives, since there is a high likelihood of a cleft in the unborn child. In addition, as a possible reason, it is customary to consider the effect of drugs used by the mother during pregnancy.
Prevention
Dental health depends on many factors. Of particular importance is regular cleaning. But oral hygiene is not limited to brushing twice a day and using dental floss. An important role is played by an oral rinse, which is most often neglected. It not only freshens the breath, but also acts as an antibacterial agent.
But dental care does not end there. Many are accustomed to visiting the dentist when a problem has already appeared and it is necessary to eliminate it. But in fact, visiting a dentist should be a mandatory event twice a year. This will help to identify the appearance of possible diseases in advance.
Nutrition is also an important factor. The diet should not only be rich in vitamins and minerals. Hard apple varieties, carrots and other vegetables and fruits with coarse plant fibers are very useful for teeth. Thanks to them, peeling is performed, which cleans teeth from plaque.
Recommendations
The most effective tool against caries is fluoride. Every day, our tooth enamel is exposed to various factors that destroy it over time. So it is extremely important to provide protection, in which fluoride will help.
Dental floss is a great helper to remove plaque and food debris between your teeth. Its main advantage is that it can penetrate the most inaccessible places.
Health day
For many years, March 22 has been celebrating oral health Day around the world, and in 2015 Russia joined the celebration of this holiday. This step played a large role in the dental field and influenced its development. Each of us knows that healthy teeth are extremely important, and to achieve this, careful care and hygiene are necessary.
Dental oral health is one of the most important signs of the overall health of the human body. There is no escape from a regular visit to the dentist, so this holiday will only emphasize the importance and role of dentistry in the modern world. But, unfortunately, not all of us monitor the health of the oral cavity, which is why the appearance of this holiday is so important.