Why is Oral Health Important?
Dr. Suresh Amarnathan, BDS.,
Keeping good oral health (i.e., taking good care of mouth, teeth and gums) is the key to the health of your whole body. This may surprise you, but it is very true! As every part of the body is helpful in the maintenance of every other part in some way, mouth, teeth and gums have their own helpful roles to play.
Any part of the body can be a safe haven for bacteria; your mouth, teeth and gums are no exception. Mouth allows all food to enter into the digestive system, and air into the respiratory system. If some harmful bacteria gain entry through the mouth into the body, they can cause oral diseases, which in turn can lead to diseases of other parts of the body.
Oral health problems
The following are the commonest oral health problems.
Tooth decay: Enamel is the natural, hard, outer coating that protects your teeth. Dentine is the bony tissue that surrounds the pulp chamber and the root canals. Plaque is a filmy deposit formed on the surface of a tooth.
The bacteria in the plaque react with the food you take, producing acids. Both the enamel and the dentine get dissolved in these acids, which leads to dental decay in course of time. Teeth may develop holes, get damaged, eroded and may fall out.
Dental caries: This is a major form of dental damage. It is caused by acids, which are produced by bacteria when you eat and drink sugary food. Caries are cavities (holes) formed over time. They may be colored from black to yellow. The symptoms are toothache and difficulty in eating.
Gum disease: This is another serious oral health problem. Gums surrounding the teeth become swollen and red, and may bleed. As a result, teeth may loosen or even fall out.
Bad breath: Bad breath is one of the common oral health problems. You have bad breath when your breath is unpleasant, offensive and repulsive to others as you speak. Gum disease, tooth decay and dry mouth are the main causes of bad breath. Other reasons are certain foods (garlic, onions, meat, fish, etc), smoking and alcohol.
Other conditions caused by oral health problems
Poor oral health means bacteria and germs in the connective tissues and gums surrounding the teeth. When they spread to certain other parts of the body, they cause infection and inflammation. The following conditions are linked to oral health problems.
Infection of the inner lining of the heart can damage heart valves. If untreated, severe complications may develop. Arteries may get clogged, leading to heart disease. Stroke is another possibility.
Poor oral health may affect pregnant women. They may deliver low-weight babies prematurely. Oral bacteria can reach the lungs to cause pneumonia, and a few other lung diseases.
It is very important, therefore, that you ensure good oral health throughout your life. All that you need to do is to take low-sugar healthy diet, brush twice a day, floss if required and use mouthwash after brushing.
