Your overall well-being encompasses all aspects of health, including Oral health. Although often neglected, improper care and management of your teeth can lead to severe dental problems.

Oral health goes beyond cavities and the alignment of braces. It affects how you smile, speak, or eat and therefore impacts a person’s self-esteem and confidence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 26 percent of US citizens have dental caries. 

Additionally, 40 percent of adults show signs of gum disease, and 13 percent of children suffer from tooth decay. These statistics grow even alarmingly high in populated metropolitan cities like San Francisco. But this increasing number is neither due to the unavailability of healthcare services nor a lack of professional expertise. On the contrary, the country is rich in both. 

Instead, it’s because of poor awareness regarding oral hygiene that leads to many dental problems each year.

Taking care of your oral health is not as complicated as one might think. Knowing simple facts and strictly following the proper hygiene routine can save you from severe health issues early on.

And so, to guide you, here we list three things everyone must know about oral health.

1. Common Oral Diseases And Dental Problems:

Depending on your lifestyle habits and health care practices, oral diseases and dental problems you’re likely to acquire may vary. However, some more common ones include cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and oral cancer. Although most of these oral health problems are treatable, you must receive the proper care at the right time. 

Fortunately, San Francisco offers some of the best clinics for all your specialization treatments. We recommend SF Oral Surgery clinic San Francisco for a full scope of dental services. You can receive the appropriate treatment with efficient patient care, from wisdom teeth removal and dental implants to bone grafting and oral surgery.

2. Causes Of Oral Health Problems:

Oral cavities quickly become breeding grounds for many microorganisms that feed on food particles stuck between teeth or in your mouth. High sugar intake often promotes the growth of acid-producing bacteria that worsen your teeth by dissolving their enamel and developing cavities.

Additionally, plaque, a clear sticky coat that forms on your teeth due to improper oral hygiene, can quickly damage teeth. Over time, it hardens and can cause the breakdown of bones that support your teeth. This constant accumulation often results in gum inflammation, resulting in them pulling away from your teeth. In severe cases, you may have to get your tooth entirely replaced. 

Factors like the following significantly contribute to these causes, which eventually result in cavities or plaque formation:

Diabetes:

A spike in your blood sugar level means it’s likely high in your saliva too. Therefore, when the saliva encounters teeth, it allows bacteria to grow and build up, resulting in plaque formation or caries.

Hormonal Imbalances In Women:

Although not many people realize this, women, especially those undergoing puberty, menopause, or pregnancy, are more at risk of developing oral health problems. Due to hormonal fluctuations, their gums are susceptible to gum disease.

Acid Reflux:

Frequent vomiting or acid reflux causes enamel to wear away on your teeth. Since stomach fluid is highly acidic, it causes tooth erosion, leaving it damaged and full of spaces. Sometimes, these pockets may even fill up with pus, resulting in a health condition called periodontitis.

High Sugar Intake:

Glucose is the primary energy source for most living organisms, including bacteria. So when you regularly consume sugars-rich diets, you’re more likely to leave lingering particles in the oral cavity. This can then act as food for microorganisms that can quickly process and digest this, allowing them to grow further and multiply.

Poor Oral Hygiene:

Neglecting or ignoring regular oral hygiene practices allows the accumulation of food, which consequently promotes plaque and caries development. 

Infections like HIV or AIDS:

An individual infected with HIV or someone with AIDS has a weak immune system. This makes them more vulnerable and prone to all diseases, including oral-related ones. Without the body’s ability to fight off bacteria or other microbes, dental problems are pretty much warranted. 

Dry Mouth:

Saliva helps neutralize harmful acids in the mouth, so a lack of saliva due to medical conditions or side effects of certain medications can promote tooth deterioration.

Genetics:

Some dental problems, such as enamel defects and jaw misalignment, can be inherited. These individuals should be extra cautious in caring for their oral health to avoid severe dental disease.

3. Prevention Of Oral Health Problems:

Luckily, when it comes to preventing oral health problems, the steps are as simple as they can get. Following certain hygiene practices regularly, without fail, is enough to save you the trouble of dental diseases. 

A few of the things that every individual must ensure, without any exceptions, include:

Using A Fluoride Toothpaste:

Toothpaste containing fluoride is scientifically proven to prevent dental decay and cavities. After every meal, brushing your teeth daily ensures no food traces remain in the oral cavity. And without any nutrients to feed on, the microbes have no way to survive and, therefore, can’t form plaques or caries. 

Flossing Daily:

Besides brushing your teeth, you must also floss them at least once daily. Flossing removes possible plaque build-up efficiently, which is often hard to reach by brushing only. This oral health practice also avoids problems with bad breath as it dislodges any food particles trapped between the teeth.

Eating A Balanced Diet:

Balanced diets provide an adequate intake of all essential nutrients the body needs. Since it’s not too high in sugar, it prevents bacterial growth in the mouth. Additionally, minerals and vitamins like calcium and vitamin D strengthen teeth and keep gums healthy.

Regular Visits To The Dentist:

While oral hygiene is vital for avoiding dental problems, it can’t replace the significance of a regular dentist visit. Consult your oral surgeon or specialist to schedule check-ups according to how often you need to make the visits. Besides getting your teeth examined, get them professionally and occasionally cleaned to minimize the risk of oral health issues in the long run. 

Conclusion:

Although oral health refers explicitly to the health of teeth, gums, and mouth—taking care of it goes beyond just these. Recent studies have shed light on how deteriorating oral health can increase the risk of underlying systemic ailments. For instance, bacteria from the oral cavity can travel into the bloodstream and reach major organs if not treated on time. This can result in severe medical conditions and damage your well-being.

Therefore, every individual needs to remain aware of certain facts related to oral health, such as those mentioned above. Additionally, you should never take your dental appointments for granted and visit your dentist as soon as possible to ensure you have nothing to worry about.