Importance of dental health
It is important to have a good standard of dental health because oral health impacts both on your mental and physical well-being. Having a healthy set of teeth enables you to eat and speak effectively as well as contributing to a higher degree of self-confidence and a greater ease in social situations.
Having a good level of dental hygiene can significantly improve your general oral health. It is important to brush your teeth regularly in order to remove bacterial and food deposits from your mouth; dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. You should use a tooth brush with a head that is small enough to reach all corners of your mouth and most people should use fluoride-based toothpaste. You should also floss regularly in order to remove traces of food or bacteria which may have been missed during the brushing process. Many people also use mouthwash to clean the mouth and freshen their breath.
Effects of poor oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene contributes to conditions such as gum disease and tooth decay and can ultimately cause tooth loss. Having missing teeth can affect your occlusion, which is the relationship between the top and bottom sets of teeth; this can cause difficulties with speech and eating and can cause discomfort.
Visiting the dentist
Experts recommend that you visit the dentist at least once a year for a check-up; those who are prone to illness or infection may need to visit every 6 months. Visiting the dentist regularly will allow them to assess your general oral health, monitor existing conditions and identify any new problems. Frequent trips to the dentist can also help to prevent serious illnesses, such as oral cancer, which is increasing rapidly in the U.K; early diagnosis can improve survival rates by up to 90%.