Oral health is an important part of a daily routine often overlooked as a different entity of the body. Oral health means keeping your mouth clean. All health insurance policies do not provide oral health. In order to receive any assistance for oral health, it must be provided by dental insurance which only pays a certain percentage anyway. Most people haven’t any dental insurance and so dental care is avoided all together. Working in the dental field has provided me with a plethora of knowledge towards dental hygiene and its importance for our health. Unfortunately, insurances don’t see it that way. That’s due to money, of course. So we need to provide two health insurances for one body. The reason why I say money, is because yes, it’s costly. That’s why prevention and daily routines are imperative. Just like the rest of your body. If you don’t want to decay, keep your body and teeth clean every day! That involves work and there are people that do not care to put in the work, so therefore insurance and yourself is left to pay for your decay.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Well-being
Regardless of insurance purposes, your dental health should be one of your top priorities. Having white teeth is not conducive to a healthy mouth. Extremely white teeth usually indicate bleaching, dentures, crowns, and veneers. There are a percentage of people that are born with naturally white teeth. Depending upon diet intake though, teeth stain and that may start as early as your twenties and that’s when bleaching is initiated.
Essential Dental Care Requirements
Dental care requirements include checking for decay of the teeth, periodontal (gum) disease, bone loss, replacing missing teeth, checking for oral cancer and the neck for lymph nodes. Going for an exam every six months is a good way to prevent diseases and if they are present, makes it easier to tackle the problems asap. You don’t wait for things to get worse. I’ve seen that happen repetitively. Take note that prevention is the first step for oral health. Adults have thirty-two teeth and something is bound to go wrong sooner or later. Children have 20 teeth until the adult teeth come in. By the age of 18, the wisdom teeth are recommended for extraction. Some people have extra teeth that grow and they also need to be removed. That should leave you with twenty-eight teeth.
The Hidden Dangers of Neglected Oral Health
When gum disease is present, people who have heart valve disease are at risk. When you have gum disease, that bacteria live in your mouth and can travel throughout the body, triggering inflammation in the heart vessels and infection in the heart valves, researchers suspect. Untreated periodontal disease elevates the blood sugar and that makes it harder to control diabetes. When you have diabetes your body tends to make less saliva and that means you have less protection. Untreated can lead to gum disease. Diabetics should be going for cleanings three times a year. Gums are the foundation of the mouth. If gum disease and bone loss are not treated, chances are, you lose your teeth and the possibility of ever having an implant. If bone loss is that extreme, dentures may not even be an option. With no teeth, you will not be able to chew and break down foods properly and eventually will encounter digestive problems.
Overcoming Fear: The Psychological Barrier
Now knowingly the problems that occur when neglecting oral hygiene, why would you choose to neglect it. Insurance and money should not put a halt on oral health. Your oral health needs to be prioritized. I’ve seen people drive away in luxury cars but their mouths are a wreck. I rather kiss a man with an expensive, healthy mouth than drive in his expensive car. If he has both, that’s even better. I’ve also seen fear as a factor due to oral neglect. In my perspective, most fears that occur in adults are due to bad dental experiences in childhood. That needs to be addressed. Sometimes finding the right dentist can help u overcome that fear. I’ve seen it happen. Don’t be ashamed of being fearful because there’s always someone that can help you. Plenty of people are fearful and it takes time to overcome. That’s why the right dentist is important.
Improving Oral Hygiene: Practical Tips
Taking Action for Better Oral Health
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- Get an exam and a cleaning 2 times a year or 3 if needed.
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- Brush teeth 2 times a day. Morning and evening.
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- Floss after every meal.
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- Avoid sugary foods especially those that stick to the teeth.
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- Avoid smoking.
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- Use a water pick if recommended.
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- Use a cavity-fighting toothpaste.
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- Use fluoride. Especially adults who have sensitive teeth. From experience, it works. You rinse, not ingest.
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- Finding the Right Dentist: Your Partner in Oral Health
Choosing the Ideal Dental Care Provider
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- Find a dentist you like. Do your research, online ads, etc.
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- Ask people. Recommendations are the best.
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- Check what they specialize in so that it may suit your needs.
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- Read people’s comments if posted.
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- Look for kindness especially those in fear of dentistry.
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- Make sure the staff is just as kind because that reflects on the dentist significantly.
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- If dental care is not affordable, find a dentist that is willing to work on a payment plan and abide by those payments.
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- It’s good to know that they are busy. That’s when you call them, they don’t call you.
Conclusion: A Brighter Smile, A Healthier You
Now that I have explained the importance of oral health and how it affects your overall health, go to the dentist so that you may acquire the smile you always desire. You only have one set of teeth. Take care of them and be good to your teeth, and they will be good for you.
